bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical vortex-antivortex crystallization in free space
Authors: Fu Shenhe , Lin Haolin , Liao Yixuan , Liu Guohua , Ren Jianbin , Li Zhen , Chen Zhenqiang , Malomed Boris
Published: November 2023

Stable vortex lattices are basic dynamical patterns which have been widely demonstrated in many physical systems including superconductor physics, Bose-Einstein condensates, hydrodynamics and optics. Vortex-antivortex (VAV) ensembles can be produced too, self-organizing into the respective polar lattices. However, these structures are in general highly unstable due to the strong VAV attraction. Here, we demonstrate that multiple optical VAV clusters nested in the propagating coherent field can crystallize into new patterns which preserve their lattice structure in the course of the linear propagation over distance up to several Rayleigh lengths. To explain this phenomenon, we present a model for effective interactions between the vortices and antivortices located at different sites of the lattice. We conclude that the observed VAV crystallization is a consequence of the globally balanced VAV couplings. As the crystallization
does not require the presence of nonlinearities and takes place in the free space, it may find promising applications to high-capacity optical communications and multiparticle manipulations by means of optical fields. Our findings also suggest new possibilities for constructing VAV complexes by means of the orbit-orbit coupling mechanism, which differs greatly from
the extensively studied spin-orbit couplings.
Prognostic value of Creatine Kinase (CK)-MB to total-CK ratio in colorectal cancer patients after curative resection
Authors: Rao Lubei , Zu Ruiling , Zhang Guiji , Zhang Kaijiong , He Shuya , Luo Yajun , Yang Ying , Wang Dongsheng , Luo Huaichao , Ye Bo
Published: November 2023

Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of postoperative Creatine Kinase (CK)-MB to total-CK ratio (CK-MB/CK) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after radical resection.
Methods:
This was a single-center retrospective cohort analysis. Subjects were stage I-III CRC patients hospitalized in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to May 2021. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival rate (DFS) were analyzed between two groups according to the serum CK-MB/CK levels after surgery. Cox regression analyses, Kaplan-Meier method, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve were performed.
Results:
CK-MB/CK was the strongest independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS. Compared to the normal group (n = 1177), the elevated group (n = 95) had worse OS (HR, 5.64; p < 0.0001) and DFS (HR, 8.34; p < 0.0001). For the diagnosis of hepatic metastases after surgery, the ROC area under the curve (AUC) of CK-MB/CK was 0.720 (p < 0.001). When CK-MB/CK > 1.01, the specificity was 94.84% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 96.7%. Combined CK-MB/CK and CA19-9, the AUC value increased from 0.720 to 0.799 (p = 0.036), with a sensitivity of 77.46% and a specificity of 97.25%.
Conclusions:
CRC patients with elevated CK-MB/CK had a worse prognosis after radical resection. CK-MB/CK might be a new biomarker for the diagnosis of hepatic metastasis in CRC patients after surgery, with high specificity and NPV.
Succinate exacerbates mastitis in mice via gut microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Qiu Min , Hu Yubo , Zou Chenyu , Tang Ruibo , Zhang Duo , Xie Jiaxin , Hu Xiaoyu , Zhang Naisheng , Zhao Caijun , Fu Yunhe
Published: November 2023

Background
Ecological imbalance of the gut microbiota may be an important endogenous trigger of mastitis, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Recent findings indicated that selected bacteria of the maternal gastrointestinal microbiota can reach the mammary gland through an entero-mammary pathway. In addition, metabolic disturbances are one of the most prominent ways in which gut dysbiosis promote distal organ diseases.
Results
In the present study, we found that Gastrointestinal-associated mastitis showed significant changes in metabolic levels, among which succinate was significantly increased. In addition, succinate treatment exacerbates endotoxemia-induced mastitis in mice. Meanwhile, succinate induced intestinal ecological dysregulation. Further experiments demonstrated that succinate increased the production of extracellular vesicles containing gut microbial (mEVs) lipopolysaccharides, which could diffuse across the damaged intestinal barrier into the mammary glands. mEVs promotes mammary inflammation mainly through activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that succinate promotes mastitis through proliferatio of enteric pathogens and mEVs production, suggesting a potential strategy for mastitis intervention based on intestinal metabolic regulation and pathogen inhibition. The role of mEVs in interspecific communication has also been elucidated.
Dynamical behavior of water wave phenomena for the 3D fractional WBBM equations using rational Sine-Gordon expansion method
Authors: Mamun Abdulla - Al - , Ananna Samsun Nahar
Published: November 2023

To examine the dynamical behavior of traveling wave solutions of the water wave phenomenon for the family of 3D fractional Wazwaz-Benjamin-Bona-Mahony (WBBM) equations, this work employs the rational Sine-Gordon expansion (RSGE) approach. The method generalizes the well-known sine-Gordon expansion using the sine-Gordon equation as an auxiliary equation. In contrast to the conventional sine-Gordon expansion method, it takes a more general approach, a rational function rather than a polynomial one, of the solutions of the auxiliary equation. The method described above is used to generate various solutions for hyperbolic functions. The answers are graphically shown in three-dimensional (3D) surface plots and contour plots using the MATLAB program. The resolutions of the equation, which have appropriate parameters, exhibit the absolute wave configurations in all screens. Furthermore, it can be inferred that the physical characteristics of the discovered solutions and their features may aid in our understanding of the propagation of shallow water waves in nonlinear dynamics.
Psychosocial Pathways Linking Mindfulness Traits and Burnout in University Students in China during The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Path Analysis Study
Authors: Gan Ruochen , Chen Shulin , Xue Jiang
Published: November 2023

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic brings critical health problems to workers in many occupations, including the student population. Findings suggest university students are suffering from moderate to high levels of burnout. Mindfulness is considered to serve as a buffer against burnout, where the underlying mechanisms remains unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between mindfulness and burnout among university students in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore the mediating roles of perceived social support and emotion in the association.
Methods: A total of 982 participants were recruited to complete an online survey one year after the COVID-19 outbreak, which consisted of the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Learning Burnout of University Students scale. Path analysis was adopted to test the hypothesized theoretical model.
Results: Mindfulness was significantly (p<0.01) correlated to burnout of university students, which relationship was mediated by the interactions between perceived social support, positive affect and negative affect (model fitness: χ2/df=1.14, SRMR=0.009, RMSEA=0.026, CFI=0.999, TLI=0.995).
Conclusions: Mindfulness may be a protective factor against burnout of university students during the
COVID-19 pandemic, while perceived social support, positive affect and negative affect play important roles in the association. Mindfulness-based interventions are suggested to reduce burnout in this population, and psychosocial factors like emotion and social support should be emphasized in the procedure.
Transcriptome Analysis of Sexual Dimorphism in Dorsal Down Coloration in Goslings
Authors: Liu Yi , Li Guangquan , Guo Zhanbao , Zhang Huiling , Wei Baozhi , He Daqian
Published: November 2023

Background
Distinctive sexual dimorphism in dorsal down coloration is apparent in day-old Hungarian white goose goslings, characterized by darker dorsal plumage in females and lighter plumage in males. The ability to autosex day-old goslings based on their dorsal down coloration is crucial for efficient management and nutrition strategies in the poultry industry. The objective of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of the potential biological and genetic mechanisms governing sexually dimorphic down coloration in geese, utilizing tissue slice analysis, biochemical assays, transcriptomic profiling, and q-PCR analysis.
Results
The tissue slice and biochemical results revealed that female geese exhibited a higher density of melanin-containing feather follicles and a greater concentration of melanin within these follicles compared to male geese during embryonic development at 17 days and in day-old goslings. Both female and male individuals, in comparison to 17-day goose embryos, showed a significant decrease in melanin concentrations in the dorsal skin of day-old goslings. Through transcriptome analysis, we identified a set of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (MC1R, TYR, TYRP1, DCT and MITF) associated with Melanogenesis pathways that exhibit substantial down-regulation or complete silencing specifically within the dorsal skin of day-old goslings when compared to 17-day embryos. This resulting in impaired melanin synthesis in the feather follicle. Additionally, sexual dimorphism in feather coloration is associated with two key DEGs (MC1R and MITF). Female geese exhibited higher expression levels of MC1R and MITF, positively correlated with increased melanin synthesis and deposition, resulting in a more pronounced plumage phenotype characterized by darker coloration.
Conclusions
Melanin synthesis in goose feather follicles was determined by the expression of multiple melanogenesis genes. Sexual dimorphism in dorsal down coloration of day-old Hungarian white goose goslings was contingent upon two essential MC1R and MITF genes. Our research lays the essential foundation for advancing the breeding in autosexing geese, promising substantial benefits to breeders and producers.
Hydrological and geochemical properties of bottom ash landfills
Authors: Ingold Philipp , Weibel Gisela , Wanner Christoph , Gimmi Thomas , Churakov Sergey V.
Published: November 2023

In Switzerland, municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash is deposited in open landfills, which leads to its interaction with rainwater and thus the formation of a polluted leachate. After completion, the landfill enters the aftercare phase, during which leachate contamination is expected to decrease to such level, that no hazardous effects on the environment can be assumed. This study attempts to provide a better understanding of the hydraulic and geochemical properties of bottom ash landfills by combining field and laboratory investigations. The results show that a bottom ash landfill can be described as a generally unsaturated body with several layers of different grain sizes. Three different water domains with variable hydraulic and geochemical properties were identified in the landfill: (1) zones of preferential flow, (2) a reservoir of mobile porewater, and (3) an immobile porewater reservoir. The landfill layering is primarily responsible for the formation of various flow systems during heavy rainfall events. According to a conceptual model, the different domains and reservoirs provide variable volumetric contribution to the leachate, depending on precipitation rates and duration of dry periods. Preferential flow systems account for approx. 5 – 10 vol.%. Sampling of leachate during heavy rainfall events revealed dilution effects for Na, Ca, Cl, and SO4, while pH and concentrations of Al, Cu, Cr, V, and Zn increased significantly. The findings of this study serve as a basis for the development of a hydrogeochemical model of a bottom ash landfill, which allows better prediction of the future evolution of leachate quality.
Composition of the intestinal microbiota during mid- to late pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wang Yaxin , Liu Nana , Sun Yin , Ma Liangkun , Yang Xuanjin , Zhang Suhan
Published: November 2023

Objective
Determine the composition and characteristics of intestinal microbiota in GDM patients during mid- and late pregnancy, and identify possible differences in bacterial composition based on comparisons with a normal healthy population.
Methods
The participants were recruited at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation, and stool samples were collected twice in the second and third trimesters, and were examined based on next-generation sequencing. Test results and pregnancy outcomes were recorded, and baseline conditions and intestinal microecological composition were compared between the two groups.
Results
Compared with the healthy control group, the composition ratio of Bacteroides and Megamonas was significantly increased, whereas that of Bifidobacterium, Dialister, and Escherichia coli was significantly reduced. At the species level, the combination of Eubacterium hallii, Butyrate-producing Bacterium GM2.1, and Clostridium disporicum enabled an effective discrimination between the two groups (AUC = 93.64%, P < 0.05, 95% CI: 89.83–97.45%).
Conclusion
Compared with the healthy control group, we detected significant differences in the composition ratio of gut microbiota during late pregnancy in the gestational diabetes group, and also observed a reduction in bacterial diversity and an increase in microbial disorder.
Distinct Immune Homeostasis Remodeling Patterns after HLA-matched and Haploidentical Transplantation
Authors: Huang Xiao-jun , Guo Huidong , Guo Liping , Wang Bixia , Jiang Xinya , Wu Zhigui , Mo Xiaodong , Sun Yuqian , Zhang Yuan-Yuan , Wang Zhi-Dong , Kong Jun , Yan Chenhua
Published: November 2023

The immune system remodels from the donor to the recipient during allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, little is known about the cell profile alterations as donor homeostasis is rebalanced recipient homeostasis following HSCT. We dissected the dynamics of the rebalanced homeostatic immune system in recipients received HLA-matched and haploidentical HSCT. All immune subpopulations observed in donors were successfully restored in recipients with varying levels of abundance. The remodeling of immune homeostasis exhibited different patterns in HLA-matched and haploidentical HSCT, highlighting distinct biases in T cell reconstitution from the central and peripheral pathways. Furthermore, ZNF683 is critical for maintaining the persistence and quiescence of CD8 T-cell in haploidentical HSCT. Our research could serve as a foundation for developing novel strategies to induce immune tolerance.
A novel PET probe to selectively image heat shock protein 90α/β isoforms in the brain
Authors: Sakai Takayuki , Ikenuma Hiroshi , Yamada Takashi , Hattori Saori , Ogata Aya , Abe Junichiro , Imamura Shinichi , Ichise Masanori , Tada Mari , Kakita Akiyoshi , Koyama Hiroko , Suzuki Masaaki , Kato Takashi , Ito Kengo , Kimura Yasuyuki
Published: November 2023

Background
Heat shock proteins (HSPs), ubiquitously found proteins called molecular chaperones in the brain, play important functional roles in the neuropathological processes of Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body disease. Of many HSP subtypes, HSP90 has been shown to play a central role in the process. Many studies have shown that drugs that inhibit HSP90 activity have beneficial effects in the neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, HSP90 PET imaging ligand, an in vivo biomarker of HSP90, can be used effectively to study HSP90 in neurodegenerative diseases. Among four HSP90 isoforms, two cytosolic isoforms (HSP90α and HSP90β) thought to be involved in the structural homeostasis of the proteins related to the neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, no useful PET imaging ligands selectively targeting the two cytosolic isoforms of HSP90 have been available yet.
Results
In this study, we developed a novel PET imaging ligand, [11C]NCGG801, selectively targeting HSP90α and HSP90β by radiolabeling BIIB021, an inhibitor with a high affinity for and selectivity to HSP90α and HSP90β. [11C]NCGG801 was synthesized with a high yield, molar activity and radiochemical purity. [11C]NCGG801 showed a high binding affinity for rat brain homogenate as well as human recombinant HSP90α and HSP90β proteins. This radioligand was well taken up into the rat brain (SUV 1.4) and showed clear specific binding in PET imaging of healthy rats and autoradiography of healthy rat and human brain sections.
Conclusions
Our data suggested that [11C]NCGG801 has a potential to be a new imaging biomarker of HSP90α/β in the brain. Further studies appear warranted to evaluate [11C]NCGG801 in humans.
Stability analysis and multiple solutions of MHD mixed convective Cu–Ag-Al2O3/H2O ternary hybrid nanofluid over an exponential permeable shrinking surface with radiation and slip impacts: An estimation of entropy production
Authors: Mandal Gopinath
Published: November 2023

This investigation aims to determine the existence of a dual solution in magne-tohydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convective radiative ternary hybrid nanofluid flow in a permeable Darcy-Forchheimer porous medium over an exponential shrinking surface by considering velocity & thermal slips and suction effects at the surface. The impacts for three types of fluid, namely, the mono nanofluid (Cu/H2O), hybrid nanofluid (Cu-Ag/H2O), and ternary hybrid nanofluid (Cu-Ag-Al2O3/H2O) are analyzed on different flow fields. The current work also addresses estimating entropy production to light on its innovative use in coolant applications. The nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) are converted into a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using similarity transformation. Governing higher-order nonlin-ear ODEs are constructed and solved using the bvp4c numerical MATLAB function. Due to the presence of duality in the numerical solutions, the stability of these solutions is performed by locating the lowest eigenvalue. A positive minimum eigenvalue represents the upper stable solution branch, while a negative minimal eigenvalue represents the lower unstable solution branch. The effects of emergent variables on entropy generation and velocity, temperature, skin friction coefficient, and Nusselt number are analyzed graphically and in tabular form. The findings also show that the velocity profile improves when mono nanofluid transitions to hybrid nanofluid. However, it swiftly degrades for a ternary hybrid nanofluid medium for both solution branches. The temperature rises as we transition from mono to hybrid and from hybrid to ternary nanofluid medium. It has been shown that the thermal radiation Preprint submitted to 26 October 2023 parameter significantly influences the fluid’s temperature and the heat transfer rate. In the event of a stable solution, the increment in the Forchheimer number slows the flow of the liquid and is exacerbated by the magnetic field. Thermal radiation also significantly speeds up the creation of entropy. The present optimization method provides a fresh, advantageous perspective on the manufacture of polymer sheets, glass fiber, crude oil, plastic films, heat exchangers, and electronic gadgets. Hence, the obtained results are recommended for developing industrial device setup.
Updated Ensemble Model Used to Detect Contrails
Authors: Jagtap Jeet
Published: November 2023

Contrails are usually formed by aviation vehicles and are also known as ”ice clouds”. As the aircraft is flying, water vapor condenses on dust particles, forming the contrail. Due to the nature of these clouds—containing more ice crystals compared to those naturally produced by clouds— they are very good at conserving heat within the earth. This heavily contributes to global warming. Autonomously detecting contrails is the best solution to preventing their spread. The dataset leveraged in this paper is taken from Kaggle and is originally from the GOES-16 Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI). Kaggle provides image data of different wavelengths (9), along with labeled masks for each contrail. The image data used from Kaggle has images of the same contrail taking in 9 different wavelengths. The proposed model, uses a resnest26d backbone, with a base U-Net model to provide accurate results for detecting contrails. This model provides more accurate results on segmenting images of contrails compared to other ensemble models.
Modified DRASTIC and GOD Models for Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment Using a GIS Technique: A Case Study on Thoothukudi District
Authors: Sankarapandian Pitchaikani , Govind Venkatesan , Mahalingam M.Thambiraja
Published: November 2023

Groundwater resources have recently replaced surface water as the primary source of freshwater for human activities across the world, particularly in semi-arid regions, and groundwater contamination from anthropogenic events is one of the biggest environmental issues in developed and industrial coastal areas. In order to assess the effects of groundwater management, several scholars from all around the world have carried out studies. In this study, the intrinsic effect and risk of pollution of coastal and irrigated regions in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu were assessed using GIS-based Modified DRASTIC and GOD vulnerability models. In this context, the letters GOD stand for Groundwater Hydraulic Confinement, Overlying Aquifer Strata, and Groundwater Depth. According to the criteria of G, O, and D, an unconfined aquifer that frequently contains sandstone, fine to medium clay, and sand near the shore makes up 70% of the research area. According to the vulnerability map created using the GOD technique, 32% of the study area's medium vulnerabilities are found in the almost northern region, where agricultural land and human activity are the primary sources of pollution. The Modified DRASTIC vulnerability index map reveals a 20% region of low susceptibility in the northwest corner and higher sections of the study area. The 50% of the area covered in the south, southeast, and northeast corner regions has a high and very high susceptibility, although the surrounding areas have a moderate vulnerability. Analyses demonstrate that the nitrate level of ground water is high in certain places. In comparison, the modified-DRASTIC approach yielded more reliable findings. The map may be utilized as a significant analytical tool for groundwater management and protection decision-making at the planning, policy, and organizational levels.
Combined Thermal and Mechanical Stimulation on Acupoint LI4 Enhances Powers of Beta and Gamma Waves in Parietal and Temporal Lobes
Authors: Yang Luna , Hu Zhimin , Li Weixin , Gong Yanling , Tanabe Hisateru , Chen Fujun , Yamazaki Ritsuko , Li Shengtian , Wang Ting
Published: November 2023

Studies have shown that manual and electrical acupuncture have significant effects on brain functions. However, these treatments often evoke pain and fear. Non-invasive acupuncture therapies, such as mechanical (acupressure) and thermal (moxibustion), have been developed and shown to effectively relieve pain and treat various conditions. However, little is known about their influence on brain network function. The current study explored the effects of mechanical, thermal, and combined thermal and mechanical stimulations on acupoint Large Intestine 4 (LI4, Hegu) on EEG in fifty-two healthy participants. A 30-minute combined thermal and mechanical stimulation on LI4 enhanced the powers of the β and γ bands and reduced the ratio of θ/β in both the parietal and temporal lobes when compared with the same stimulation on the control point. In contrast, neither the mechanical nor thermal stimulation alone had such effects. The distinct impact of combined thermal and mechanical stimulation, as opposed to either method alone, underscores the importance of joint activation of thermosensory, touch, and pain-sensory fibers for effective acupoint stimulation. Furthermore, our findings provide insights into the use of combined thermal plus mechanical stimulation as an effective non-invasive alternative therapy.
An MRI radiomics-based model for the prediction of invasion of the lymphovascular space in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Ma Nan-Nan , Wang Tao , Li Shao-Dong
Published: November 2023

Background
Cervical cancer (CC) remains the second deadliest cancer-associated cause of mortality among women, and the ability to adequately predict the presence or absence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is vital to ensuring optimal patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to establish and verify an MRI radiomics-based model for the purpose of predicting the status of LVSI in patients with CC.
Methods
The present study conducted a retrospective analysis, wherein a total of 86 patients were included in the training cohort, and 38 patients were involved in the testing group, specifically focusing on patients with CC. The radiomics feature extraction process involved the utilization of ADC, T2WI-SPAIR, and T2WI sequences. Training group data were utilized for initial radionics-based model development, and model predictive performance was then validated based on data for patients enrolled in the experimental group.
Results
Radiomics scoring model construction was performed using 17 selected features. The study identified several risk variables associated with LVSI. These risk factors included elevated combined sequence-based radiomics scores (P < 0.001), more advanced FIGO staging (P = 0.03), cervical stromal invasion depth of a minimum of 1/2 (P = 0.02), and poorer tumor differentiation (P < 0.001). Radiomics scores based on combined sequences, ADC, T2WI-SPAIR, and T2WI exhibited AUCs of 0.931, 0.839, 0.815, 0.698, and 0.739 in the training cohort, respectively, with corresponding testing cohort values of 0.725, 0.692, 0.683, 0.833, and 0.854. The calibration curve analyses demonstrated an enhanced level of agreement between the actual and predicted LVSI status, indicating excellent consistency. Furthermore, the results of the decision curve study provided evidence for the clinical utility of this prediction model.
Conclusions
An MRI radiomics model was successfully developed and validated as a tool capable of predicting CC patient LVSI status, achieving high levels of overall diagnostic accuracy.
Feature Selection using Particle Swarm Optimization and Ensemble-based Machine Learning Models for Ransomware Detection
Authors: Gurukala Neel Kumar Yadav , Verma Deepak Kumar
Published: November 2023

Ransomware attacks have become a major threat to organizations and individuals, as such an attack can cause significant financial loss and disruption to business operations. Traditional methods of ransomware detection, such as signature-based detection and heuristic-based detection, have proven to be inadequate in dealing with the constantly evolving ransomware variants.
Machine learning (ML)-based detection methods have shown promise in detecting ransomware. These methods rely on the extraction of relevant features from the samples and the training of a classifier to distinguish between ransomware and non-ransomware samples. Due to the high dimensionality of the feature space, machine learning algorithms can be employed to identify a crucial subset of features which in turn enhances the detection accuracy.
This research presents a novel approach that combines ensemble classifiers with feature selection using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The objective is to improve the detection accuracy and reduce false positives and false negatives in classification tasks. Two separate ensemble models were constructed: one comprising Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers, and the other consisting of Decision Tree (DT) and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) classifiers. The PSO algorithm was employed to determine the optimal features and their corresponding weights for each ensemble classifier.
Experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach and the results demonstrated that integrating PSO for feature selection significantly enhanced the overall detection rate compared to using all features with equal weights. By identifying the most relevant features and assigning appropriate weights, the ensemble classifiers achieved higher accuracy and improved the overall classification performance.
Sequential Separation of Anti-Diabetic Drugs in the Presence of Toxic Impurity Using Chromatographic Methods Integrating Green Analytical Chemistry Concept (Impurity Profiling)
Authors: Magdy Maimana A. , Abdelrahman Maha M. , Mohamed Doaa G. , Ahmed Amal B.
Published: November 2023

The study of green analytical chemistry has garnered significant attention in the context of mitigating global environmental contamination. In this study, we present two methodologies for environmentally friendly chromatography that enable simultaneous and specific determination of Saxagliptin (SAX), metformin (MET), and a pharmacopoeial impurity of MET known as melamine (MEL). The initial method employed in this study is High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), which utilized 60 F 254 silica gel-coated Mark HPTLC plates on aluminum sheets as the stationary phase. The developing system was made up of a mix of ethyl acetate: methanol: ammonia: glacial acetic acid in a ratio of 6:4:1:0.3 (v/v/v/v). The analysis was performed at a wavelength of 215 nm. The second method employed in this study is ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). In this method, a C18 column was utilized for the separation process. The mobile phase was made up of a mix of methanol and 0.01M sodium dodecyl sulfate, with a pH of 3.3 achieved by adding orthophosphoric acid. The ratio of methanol to sodium dodecyl sulfate in the mobile phase was 70:30 (v/v). The flow rate of the mobile phase was established at a rate of 1.5 mL / minute. The peaks found and recorded are resolved at a wavelength of 215 nm. The three analytes under investigation were successfully separated and assessed using the recommended protocols. Both methods were validated following the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) recommendations for assessing linearity, range, accuracy, precision, specificity, and robustness. Moreover, the environmental sustainability of the advanced methodologies The assessment has been performed using various instruments, such as the Analytical Eco-Scale, NEMI, GAPI, and AGREE. The utilization of these tools was implemented in order to perform a comprehensive assessment of the environmental sustainability of the methods, as well as to establish a comparison with previously documented approaches. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential environmental implications of the suggested methods and to determine their suitability for concurrent analysis of the examined pharmaceuticals in formula and quality control units.
Fluid-solid Interaction Analysis of Wind Turbine Based on the Improved Actuator Surface Model
Authors: Wang Yu , Lou Min , Liu Xinhan , Liu Zhenlei
Published: November 2023

Enhancing accuracy and efficiency of fluid-solid interaction solution is crucial as the wind turbine increases in size and output power. An improved actuator surface model is developed based on the three-dimensional plate-element method, the blade tip loss and three-dimensional rotation effects are comprehensively modified and the shear flow and tower shadow effects are further explored. Results show that the improved actuator surface model has advantages in both precision and efficiency for predicting aerodynamic responses. The stress distribution on the pressure and suction faces of the blade is equivalent, and the primary areas of stress concentration are nearly in the middle span. Blade deformation increases with the incoming wind speed, and the maximum deformation occurs at the blade tip.Shear flow effectively decreases the load on wind turbines, which results in lower average thrust and power output, as well as the blade tip displacement and maximum strain. Surface pressure coefficients on wind turbine models with/without a tower are different greatly on the leading edge of suction face. The closer to the blade root, the greater the difference in pressure distribution, the stronger the interference effect, and the greater the impact of the tower shadow effect on the blade's aerodynamic load.
Selective laser sintering PLA/Mg composite scaffold with promoted degradation and enhanced mechanical
Authors: Li Mengqi , Yuan Hai , Ding Wenhao , Du Haocheng , Guo Xiaoping , Li Dongying , Xu Yong
Published: November 2023

The slow degradation rate of PLA is an urgent problem that needs to be solved to improve its application in tissue engineering. In this study, different proportions of Mg were introduced into PLA to promote and regulate its degradation. A porous composite bone scaffold of PLA and Mg was prepared using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology. After the introduction of Mg, its degradation products consumed the acidic degradation products by the hydrolysis of PLA, which destroyed the integrity of the molecular chain of PLA, accelerated the flow of the molecular chain, and formed a cycle that promoted degradation. The results showed that the weight loss degradation rate of the Mg-added scaffold was nearly seven times higher than that of the pure PLA scaffold within four weeks. In terms of mechanics, the compressive strength of the PLA/3Mg scaffold (5.6 MPa) is nearly twice that of the pure PLA scaffold (2.67 MPa). Therefore, we believe that the introduction of appropriate Mg can better regulate the balance between the degradation and mechanical properties of PLA scaffolds.
Oceanimonas pelagia sp. nov., a novel biosurfactant producing and plastic-degrading potential bacterium isolated from marine coastal sediment
Authors: Yang Hsiao-Tsu , Huang Yi-Hsuan , Ho Ying-Ning
Published: November 2023

A marine bacterial strain, designated as NTOU-MSR1T, was isolated from the marine sediment of Taiwan's northern coast. This bacterium is Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, and motile. It possesses a single flagellum, and its cells are rod-shaped, with an approx­imate width of 0.5-0.6 µm and a length of 1.8-2.0 μm. Growth is observed at 10-45℃ with an optimum at 30℃. The pH range for growth is 7.0-10.0, with optimal growth at pH 7.0-8.0. The cells can grow with a concentration of NaCl up to 12%. In the cell membrane, the predominant fatty acids are C16:1ω7c, C18:1ω7c, and C16:0. The overall genome relatedness indices indicate that strain NTOU-MSR1T has an average nucleotide identity (ANI) of 87.88% and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value of 35.40% with its closest related species, O. marisflavi 102-Na3ᵀ, both values failing below the 95% and 70% species threshold. This indicates that strain NTOU-MSR1T is a novel member belonging to the Oceanimonas genus. The genomic DNA G+C content is 61.0 mol%. Genomic analysis uncovers the presence of genes associated with the catechol branch of β- ketoadipate pathway for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) degradation, heavy metal resistance, production of poly(hydroxybutyrate)(PHB). In addition, strain NTOU-MSR1T has been found to possess the ability to synthesize biosurfactants and have a potential ability of plastic degradation. A proposed name, Oceanimonas pelagia, was assigned to this novel species, and the type strain of this bacterium was designated as NTOU-MSR1T (=BCRC 81403ᵀ=JCM 36023ᵀ).
Evaluation of Circulating Levels of miR-135a and miR-193 in patients with sepsis
Authors: behroozizad Nazila ,   Ata Ata Mahmoodpoor1, Shadvar Kamran , Ardebil Roghayeh Asghari , Sohrabifar Nasim Nasim , Kazeminasab Somayeh
Published: November 2023

Background
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that the early diagnosis and prognostic awareness provide direction for selecting the appropriate treatment strategies. A wide variety of biomarker-based studies in clinical medicine provide new insights into the personalized medicine in sepsis patients. MiRNAs are endogenous non-coding RNA molecules which have been acting as the great potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers in diseases.
Methods and Results
In present study, the expression levels of two selected miRNAs, including miR-135a and miR-193, were evaluated for their prognostic potential in patients with sepsis. The circulating levels of miRNAs were quantified by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in patients with sepsis (n = 100) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 100). Statistical findings confirmed the valuable prognostic potential of miR-135a in patients with sepsis, while no significant difference was found between the miR-193 expression level in the patients with sepsis and controls.
Conclusions
Circulating level of miRNA-135a can serve as the prognostic biomarker for patients with sepsis. These findings highlight the importance of miRNAs as signatures in the personalized managements of sepsis.
Effects of illness perception and coping on self-management in peritoneal dialysis patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Man , Hai Ziwei , Du Yixin , Jiang Menghan , Cai Chunfeng
Published: November 2023

Aims
Chronic disease self-management is critical to disease prognosis and patient quality of life. Several psychological factors influence this process of self-management. In this background, the present study investigated the impact of illness perceptions and coping styles on self-management in people with peritoneal dialysis (PD).
Methods
The study is a cross-sectional study. From May 2022 to January 2023, a convenience sampling method was used to recruit 246 peritoneal dialysis patients. General information questionnaire, brief illness perception questionnaire, medical coping modes questionnaire and the self-management scale for peritoneal dialysis patients were used in this study. We used SPSS 24.0 to analyze the data, and the statistical methods included descriptive analysis, single factor analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.
Results
A total of 246 patients were included in this study (93.89% response rate). Participants reported higher emotions and concerns about illness, while understanding of illness was low. Illness perceptions were negatively significantly correlated with self-management. With regard to coping styles, our patients were more likely to adopt avoidance and resignation coping styles. Confrontation and avoidance were positively related to self-management, while acceptance-resignation was negatively related.
Conclusions
Self-management of peritoneal dialysis patients needs to be improved. Age, female sex, monthly income, illness perceptions and coping styles were independently associated with self-management.
Impact:
These findings suggest that interventions that improve illness perceptions and coping styles should be explored to ultimately improve their self-management.
Patterns of Prevalence for Cardiovascular Diseases in Women of Childbearing Age, from 1990–2019 in Global, Regional and National: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis
Authors: Hu Ben , Feng Jun , Wang Yuhui , Fan Yinguang , Hou Linlin
Published: November 2023

Background:Epidemiological studies on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among women of childbearing age (WCBA) remain scarce. Our research aims to delineate the prevalence trends of CVD within this population over the past three decades, considering age, period, and birth cohort dynamics.
Methods:Estimates of CVD prevalence for WCBA, along with their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI), were extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases 2019 (GBD2019). An age-period-cohort (APC) model was utilized to assess the annual percentage change (net drifts) in overall prevalence, annual percentage changes in prevalence for individual age groups (local drifts), and fitted longitudinal age-specific rates adjusted for age effects and period/cohort relative risks (period/cohort effect).
Results:In 2019, the global prevalence of CVD among WCBA was 53.42 million (95% UI: 47.77 to 60.18). Eight countries recorded a prevalence exceeding one million, accounting for 54.17% of the global CVD prevalence in WCBA. Over the past 30 years, the annual net drift in CVD prevalence among the global WCBA was 0.27% (95% CI: 0.25 to 0.29). This value was 0.01% (95% CI: -0.04 to 0.06) in regions with a high sociodemographic index (SDI) and 0.21% (95% CI: 0.19 to 0.22) in those with a low SDI. Seventy-seven countries demonstrated an increasing trend in CVD prevalence, while 53 showed a decrease, and 74 remained relatively stable. Notably, as shown in local drift, there was a rise in CVD prevalence among adolescents aged 15-19 and adults aged 40-49 in regions categorized by five distinct SDI levels. This drift varied by SDI regions. Regions with a high SDI consistently had elevated period risks throughout the study duration, while other regions had lower period risks until 2000-2004 and displayed increased adverse period risks. The prevalence in low-middle and low SDI regions manifested detrimental trends, whereas other regions demonstrated an initial decline followed by a surge in successive birth cohorts.
Conclusions: Resources dedicated to CVD care for WCBA are largely insufficient, especially in low SDI regions. Thus, there is an urgent need to allocate cardiovascular healthcare resources variably across different SDI regions, aiming to diminish risks among successively younger birth cohorts. Throughout this endeavor, the formulation of targeted policies and the judicious distribution of resources are essential to reduce risks for women across all age groups.
The Effects of Contract Mechanisms between the Government and Private Hospitals on the Social Utility
Authors: Teymourifar Aydin , Kaya Onur , Ozturk Gurkan
Published: November 2023

In this work, we deal with a real healthcare system, in which public and private hospitals with different characteristics co-exist. While public hospitals have lower costs, they also suffer from long waiting times, diminishing the perceived quality of care for patients. Conversely, private hospitals, with their higher fees, offer shorter waiting periods, resulting in a more favorable perception of quality. A balanced healthcare system could offer societal benefits. Pricing strategies greatly influence a patient's hospital selection. For instance, reduced fees in private hospitals attract more patients, consequently reducing overcrowding in public facilities and elevating the overall quality of services provided. This study aims to develop pricing models to foster a balanced and socially advantageous healthcare system. Within this system, private hospital pricing is determined through contract mechanisms with the government. Thus, we delve into the ramifications of various contract models between the government and private hospitals on social utility. Our findings underscore the communal advantages of contract mechanisms. Furthermore, we generalize the proposed models to be applicable to similar systems.
Bifurcation analysis of delayed predator–prey system with fear effect, additional food for predator, prey refuge and predator age structure
Authors: Mo huazhou , Shao Yuanfu
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we construct a predator-prey model that includes fear, prey refuge, anti-predator behavior, predator age structure, and additional food. We examine certain basic properties of the system, such as positivity and uniformboundedness. Additionally, we study the conditions for the existence and stability of all equilibrium points, and obtainthe conditions and threshold values for local bifurcations triggered by various parameters through computations (fear, refuge coefficient, food quantity, juvenile predator coefficient and natural mortality rate of predator). Following that, we investigate the influence of all combinations of delay factors (fear on the prey's growth rate and gestation period of the predator population) on the stability of the proposed system. Finally, we performed numerical simulations to validate our theoretical research results and provide a detailed understanding of the influences of these parameters on the dynamics of the system. The results indicate that fear, prey refuge, additional food, and age structure distribution all play a key role in population stability.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 34C23; 92D25.
Fiscal Rules and Green Investments in Developing Countries
Authors: CREPIN HISGUIMA DASSIDI
Published: November 2023

This study highlights the effect of Fiscal Rules(FR) on Green Investments(GI) in developing countries. We analyze the causal effect of adopting rules on green financing using the entropy balancing method in 78 countries. Two hypotheses are tested in this study. The first one states that adopting Fiscal Rules increases green financing, and the second one is related to the ability of different types of rules to attract more investments to fight climate change. First, the results are robust and show that adopting Fiscal Rules increases climate finance. Unlike expenditure rules, deficit, debt, and revenue rules positively affect green financing. The effect of Fiscal Rules on green finance is amplified in countries with strong economic performance, high levels of democracy, good- quality institutions, and a well-functioning state apparatus. On the other hand, the effect of the rules is mitigated in the presence of high natural resource rents.
JEL Classification : E60 ; E62 ; Q5
Translation and validation of the “Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professionals” in Greek
Authors: Moisoglou Ioannis , Katsiroumpa Aglaia , Konstantakopoulou Olympia , Karatza Athena , Gallos Parisis , Galanis Petros
Published: November 2023

Background
Stressful events occur several times during work among healthcare professionals. Especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals have had to deal with a variety of ethical dilemmas causing high levels of moral injury.
Aim
To translate and validate the “Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professionals” (MISS-HP) in Greek.
Methods
We conducted our study with 345 nurses in Greece during August 2023. We employed the forward-backward method to translate the MISS-HP in Greek. We examined the construct validity of the MISS-HP by performing confirmatory factor analysis. We estimated concurrent validity of the MISS-HP by comparing it with the “Moral Distress Thermometer” (MDT), the “Quiet Quitting Scale” (QQS), and single item burnout measure.
Results
We found that the MISS-HP had exceptional reliability since all intraclass correlation coefficients in test-rest reliability analysis were higher than 0.990. Moreover, all correlations were statistically significant (p < 0.001 in all cases). Additionally Cronbach’s coefficient alpha for the MISS-HP was 0.636. Our CFA confirmed the three-factors structure of the Greek version of the MISS-HP: guilt/shame factor, spiritual troubles factor, and condemnation factor. All model fit indices in CFA were excellent. In particular, x2/df was 1.316, RMSEA was 0.030, GFI was 0.979, AGFI was 0.959, TLI was 0.975, IFI was 0.985, NFI was 0.939, and CFI was 0.984. We found that the concurrent validity of the Greek version of the MISS-HP was very good. In particular, we found statistically significant correlations between the MISS-HP and MDT (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), QQS (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), and the single item burnout measure (r = 0.11, p < 0.04).
Conclusions
The “Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professionals” is a reliable and valid tool to measure moral injury among healthcare professionals.