bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-Discharge Spirometry Evaluation in Patients Recovering from Moderate-to-Critical COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chai Chee-Shee , Ibrahim Muhammad Amin Bin , Azhar Nur Amira Binti , Roslan Zulaika Binti , Harun Rozila Binti , Krishnabahawan Swarna Lata , Karthigayan Aruna A/P , Kadir Roqiah Fatmawati Binti Abdul , Johari Busra Binti , Ng Diana-Leh-Ching , Sim Benedict-Lim-Heng , Liam Chong-Kin , Muttalif Abdul Razak Bin , Rasit Ahmad Hata Bin , Peariasamy Kalaiarasu M , Rani Mohammed Fauzi Bin Abdul
Published: April 2024

To determine the prevalence and types of spirometry abnormalities among post-COVID-19 patients in Malaysia, with secondary objective focusing on associated factors. Conducted at the COVID-19 Research Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University Technology MARA, from March 2021 to December 2022, this study included patients three months post-discharge from hospitals following moderate-to-critical COVID-19. Of 408 patients studied, abnormal spirometry was found in 46.8%, with 28.4% exhibiting a restrictive pattern, 17.4% showing preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), and 1.0% displaying an obstructive pattern. Factors independently associated with abnormal spirometry included older age (OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04, p = 0.003), underlying cardiovascular disease (OR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.19–10.47, p = 0.023), history of acute respiratory distress syndrome (p < 0.001), shorter discharge-to-follow-up interval (OR: 0.9, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02, p = 0.035), oxygen desaturation during 6-minute walk test (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.20–3.06, p = 0.007), and presence of consolidation (OR: 8.1, 95% CI: 1.75–37.42, p = 0.008) or ground-glass opacity (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.52–4.30, p < 0.001) on chest X-ray. This study highlights patients recovering from moderate-to-critical COVID-19 often exhibit abnormal spirometry, notably a restrictive pattern and PRISm. Routine spirometry screening for high-risk patients is recommended.
Evaluation of the Efficiency of Swallowing Disorder Rehabilitation in Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia with Swallowing Disorders and Saliva Problems
Authors: Yılmaz Neslihan Altuntaş , Aydın Adem , Şeker Muzaffer , Tat Ayşe Merve , Yapalı Gökmen
Published: April 2024

Background
The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of the application of Swallowing Disorders Rehabilitation to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia with dysphagia and saliva problems.
Methods
For the study, 53 patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and had swallowing complaints were screened with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), 6 patients were not included in the study because they did not meet the criteria for dysphagia. The study started with 47 patients, but the study was completed with 7 patients (4 men, 3 women) who continued the treatment. Education level and disease history were questioned with the Sociodemographic Data Form. The swallowing disorder rehabilitation program was applied as a total of 12 sessions at 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. The swallowing function was evaluated with the EAT-10, saliva with the Saliva Control Severity and Frequency Scale, and Trismus evaluation of mouth opening was made with calipers, before and after the rehabilitation program, and the scores obtained were statistically compared.
Results
The efficacy of the swallowing function, the severity and frequency of saliva, and the Trismus opening were determined to have statistically significantly improved after the application of Swallowing Disorder Rehabilitation compared to the pre-treatment values (p < 0.05). The disease history, education level and physical activity levels were not found to affect the treatment results.
Conclusions
Evaluation of patients with schizophrenia in terms of swallowing and salivary problems and implementation of necessary rehabilitation approaches reduce the problem of saliva and dysphagia.
Pronounced spatial disparity of projected heatwave changes in the Northern Hemisphere linked to heat domes and soil moisture-temperature coupling
Authors: Zhang Tuantuan , Cai Fenying , Liu Caihong , Gerten Dieter , Yang Song , Lin Shuheng , Kurths Jürgen
Published: April 2024

Heatwaves are projected to substantially increase almost without exception at a global scale, exacerbating worldwide heat-related risks in the future. However, understanding spatial heterogeneity of future heatwave changes and their origins remains challenging. By analyzing the output of various climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6, we found pronounced spatial disparity of projected heatwave increases in the Northern Hemisphere, even outstretching ten-fold inter-regional differences in extreme heatwave occurrences, attributed primarily to future changes in heat-dome-like circulations and soil moisture-temperature coupling. Specifically, we found that by the end of the 21st century, the modulations of combined Pacific El Niño and positive Pacific Meridional Mode on magnified heat-dome-like circulations would be translated into summertime hotspots over western Asia and western North America. Amplified soil moisture-temperature couplings then further aggravate the heatwave intensity over these two hotspots. This study of future heterogeneous heatwave patterns provides supports for formulating impact-based mitigation strategies and efficiently addressing the potential future risks for climate extremes.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Stereoscopic Optical Palpation for Tumour Margin Assessment in Breast-Conserving Surgery
Authors: Fang Q. , Sanderson R. W. , Zilkens R. , Boman I. , Foo K. Y. , Lakhiani D. D. , Rijhumal A. , Hardie M. , Dessauvagie B. F. , Saunders C. M. , Kennedy B. F.
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Optical elastography has been developed for intraoperative tumour margin assessment during breastconserving surgery (BCS) based on the elevated stiffness of tumour. It aims to assist the surgeon in fully removing a cancer in one operation, thus reducing re-excision surgeries and potentially decreasing the recurrence rate. In this study, we investigate the use of a recently proposed costeffective, camerabased optical elastography technique, stereoscopic optical palpation (SOP), for breast cancer detection and present the diagnostic accuracy of the technique for tumour margin assessment.
Methods
SOP was performed on the margins of intact, freshly excised specimens from 48 patients undergoing BCS. Pairs of photographs were acquired on 169 margins and, within two minutes of capturing each image, detailed maps were generated showing areas of mechanical pressure at the tissue surface (stress maps) over a 29 × 29 mm2 region. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of SOP in tumour margin assessment, 247 regions of 10 × 10 mm2 were selected, analysed and coregistered with standard histopathology to provide a ground truth. All regions were randomly divided into 10 groups and an automatic classifier was developed and evaluated using 10fold crossvalidation to calculate the accuracy of cancer detection using SOP.
Results
In the regions of interest included in the analysis, the prevalence of cancer within 1 mm of the margin, based on histopathology, was 11.3% (n = 28). Based on the stress maps acquired using SOP and the automatic classifier, the sensitivity of cancer detection within 1 mm of the tissue boundary (positive margin) is 82.1% (n = 23) and the specificity of identifying benign tissue within 1 mm of the tissue boundary (negative margin) is 83.6% (n = 183). The mean stress threshold determined to identify positive margins is 10.1 kPa.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that SOP can achieve an accuracy of 83.4% in identifying cancer within 1 mm of the tissue boundary, which surpasses conventional intraoperative imaging techniques for margin assessment, including radiography and ultrasound. Due to its straightforward implementation and low cost, SOP holds promise as an effective point-of-care tool to assist in tumour margin assessment for BCS.
Endoscopic treatment of gastric varices using N-butyl- 2-cyanoacrylate glue: experience from Ethiopia, sub- Saharan Africa
Authors: Shewaye Abate Bane , Berhane Kaleb Assefa
Published: April 2024

Background
Gastro-esophageal varices (GV) are the major clinical manifestations of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Although less frequent than esophageal varices (EV), They pose a significant clinical challenge due to their propensity for severe bleeding, associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) has emerged as a promising treatment modality for GV, offering effective hemostasis and low rebleeding rates. This study aims to investigate the practice and outcomes of NBCA injection therapy for gastric varices in Ethiopia.
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted on patients who received NBCA injection treatment at Adera Medical and Surgical (AMS) Center from December 2022 to January 2024.Data regarding socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, indications, endoscopic findings, procedure details, complication and outcome were collected from patients’ medical records and through a phone call interview using structured checklist. The acquired data was examined for accuracy, cleaned up and validated before analysis using SPSS 26.0. Descriptive statistics were employed as a statistical data analysis technique for categorical variables, and the results were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Tables and figures were utilized to provide a concise summary of the findings. Categorical data were presented as frequencies, while continuous variables were expressed as means, standard deviations, and minimum and maximum values.
Results:
The study investigated the use of NBCA injection for treating gastric varices in 49 patients. The mean [± SD] age was 39.92 ± 16.05 years with M: F of 2.5 respectively. IGV1 was the commonest GV type (46.9%). Thirty-Five (71.4%) patients had active bleeding and received NBCA within 12 hours, while the rest received it prophylactically for large varices. Initial bleeding control was achieved in all patients. One patient with active bleeding experienced re-bleeding 25 hours post NBCA glue injection but stopped spontaneously. No procedure-related complications, bleeding, organ embolism, or death were reported.
Conclusion:
NBCA glue injection demonstrably achieved effective bleeding control in all patients with gastric varices in this study. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing gastric varices management and reducing the burden of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Ethiopia, Sub-Saharan Africa. To ensure successful implementation, enhancing healthcare providers' expertise in interventional endoscopic techniques, including NBCA glue injection, is crucial. Further wider research is recommended to explore long-term outcomes and compare the efficacy of NBCA glue injection with other treatment options for gastric varices in Ethiopia and sub Saharan Africa at large.
FLOW DURATION CURVE ESTIMATION AT UNGAUGED BASIN USING REGIONALIZATION APPROACHES
Authors: Sajjad Hafiz Waseem , Waseem Muhammad , Arshed Abu Bakar , Abbasi Ali Haider , Laraib Muhammad , Khalid Obaid
Published: April 2024

Long-term hydrological information is essential in many parts of the world because of low density and inadequate spatial distribution of hydrometric networks specifically in Pakistan. The goal of this study to delineate the homogeneous region and to assess the streamflow in ungauged basin using regionalization approaches. Current study introduced a Simple Tyler Skill Score (STSS) technique to ensemble the output of regionalization approaches i.e., Artificial Neural Network, (ANN), Inverse Distance Weightage (IDW) and Stepwise Regression (SWR) for better predication of hydrological information. STSS method is mainly based on the weight derived from coefficient of determination (R2) and hydrological variables. The overall performance evaluation was performed by using coefficient of determination (R2), correlation coefficient (r), root mean square error (RMSE) and percent bias (PBIAS), which revealed that STSS provided more robust estimation of flow duration curve as compared to other methods. Moreover, ANN performance was comparatively better than the SWR and IDW method. The result emphasizes that in upper Indus basin, the characteristics of the watershed matter more than the physical distance between gauged and ungauged areas. This study can provide the direction for the hydrological estimation independent of hydrological modeling in data scarce regions where hydrological conditions are less addressed.
Network pharmacology and experiments in vitro reveal that the Paeonia veitchii Lynch and its active ingredient Punica granatum Linn ameliorate IMQ-induced psoriasis in mice via TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Pan suyue , Huang qiao , Wang pu , Hu min , Li weijia , Peng yi , Liu lingyu , Jiang qianfan , Qi jiahui , He yuqing
Published: April 2024

Pharmacological relevance Paeonia veitchii Lynch is a traditional Chinese medicine in our country. It has the function of clearing heat and cooling blood, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain. Its main active ingredient, Punica granatum Linn, is a herbaceous polyphenol with many biological properties, such as anti-oxidation, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer and inducing apoptosis. Previous studies have demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect of Punica granatum Linn on psoriasis, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Aim of the study We screened the active components of Paeonia veitchii Lynch by network pharmacology. Weveriied them in vitro to identify the potential molecular mechanism of Paeonia veitchii Lynch in treating psoriasis. Materials and methods Retrieve target genes associated with psoriasis from the GEO database. Using the clinical bioconfidence analysis platform Sangerbox for Gene Ontology (GO) and Encyclopedia of Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. Next, the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and the Paeonia veitchii Lynch-compound-target network were done with Cytoscape 3.9.1. To find the most essential active ingredient in the treatment of psoriasis, the main active ingredient and its core target were analyzed by molecular docking. Network pharmacological results were verified by in vitro experiments. A mouse model of psoriasis was induced with imiquimod and constructed by observing changes in skin lesions on the back of mice on a daily basis, performing PASI scores and histopathology observation. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were measured by Elisa, and the expression of TLR4/NF-ΚB pathway was evaluated by Western Blot. Results 348 differentially expressed genes with high correlation to psoriasis were screened, and 23 active components, corresponding to 150 target genes, were obtained by searching “Paeonia veitchii Lynch” from the database. Catechin, Baicalein, β-sitosterol, Punica granatum Linn, Lactobacillus, paeoniflorin, paeonol, sitosterol and stigmasterol are the main active components in Paeonia veitchii Lynch, in psoriasis has more critical significance. In addition, CCNB1, CXCL8, PCNA and S100A9 may be important targets in treating psoriasis. The molecular docking showed that Punica granatum Linn was main active component of Paeonia veitchii Lynch in treating psoriasis. KEGG results indicated that TLR4/NF-κb pathway might be the potential mechanism of TLR4/NF-κb. Western Blot results showed that Punica granatum Linn down-regulated the protein levels of TLR4 and P65. Conclusions Our results suggest that Punica granatum Linn may be an essential basis for the treatment of psoriasis by Paeonia veitchii Lynch, and TLR4/NF-κb pathway may be the common pathway of Paeonia veitchii Lynch and Punica granatum Linn.
Modeling a LoRAWAN Network for Vehicle Wildlife Collision Avoidance System on Rural Roads
Authors: Jotanovic Gordana , Jausevac Goran , Perakovic Dragan , Dobrilovic Dalibor , Stojanov Zeljko , Brtka Vladimir
Published: April 2024

The network of rural roads covers different types of terrain, including forest areas, pastures, arable land and sparsely populated areas. The safety of people and animals is a priority in traffic on these roads. Early detection of pedestrians, animals and other moving objects along the road can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. As part of this research, a sensor system is being developed that can detect characteristics of living things in motion, such as unexpectedly crossing the road without clear signs. Such timely detection of moving objects enables adequate preventive measures and reduces potential traffic accidents. The consequences of traffic accidents of this type can cause serious damage to animals and people property, and road infrastructure. The topicality of this problem at the spatial and seasonal level is emphasized in studies that identify the hotspots of these accidents. Factors such as traffic characteristics and road infrastructure are key to modeling protective systems on rural roads. The presented study investigates the deployment of sensor nodes and LoRAWAN gateways for wildlife detection on rural roads, with the aim of reducing the risk of traffic accidents caused by Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions.
Effects of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) on Short-term Clinical Outcomes and Long-term Prognosis of Patients Undergoing Gastric Cancer Surgery
Authors: Lai Wei-kun , Liu Si-Yu , Mao Yuan-tian , Deng Guo-fei , Yu Zhu , Zheng Kai-tian , Xie Yu-bo , Chen Jun-Qiang
Published: April 2024

Objective To assess the relative influence of ERAS and conventional perioperative regimens on both short-term clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis in individuals diagnosed with gastric cancer.Methods A retrospective examination was undertaken on individuals who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from December 2015 to March 2017. The subjects were stratified into two cohorts: the conventional group and the ERAS group, based on the implementation of ERAS protocols. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was employed to minimize potential confounding variables between the two cohorts. Subsequently, the recent clinical outcomes of both groups were systematically observed and compared. The 5-year survival rates of patients in the respective groups were evaluated, and factors influencing survival were subjected to analysis.Results A total of 211 patients were initially enrolled in the study, with 15 patients excluded based on predefined exclusion criteria. This resulted in the inclusion of 196 patients before matching, and after PSM, a total of 82 patients were ultimately included in the analysis. Relative to the conventional cohort, the ERAS group demonstrated statistically noteworthy reductions in intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative duration until commencement of enteral feeding, time required for postoperative ambulation, duration until the onset of anal exhaust, and overall hospitalization period. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in ERAS group compared to the traditional group.Conclusions Implementation of ERAS in patients with gastric cancer is deemed feasible and safe. The recent clinical outcomes under ERAS demonstrated significant improvements. Furthermore, ERAS exhibited the potential to enhance the 5-year survival rate.
Nutritional adequacy of charitable food aid packages to the needs of different household-types: a case study in Spain
Authors: Carrillo-Álvarez Elena , Muñoz-Martínez Júlia , Cussó-Parcerisas Irene , Palma-Linares Imma , Cassucci Maria Giulia , Günes Kübranur
Published: April 2024

European welfare states are facing a growing demand for charitable food aid in the current economic and political climate. While efforts have been made to enhance the dignity of food aid and address limited access, it is crucial to consider the impact of food aid on health, given the detrimental consequences of inadequate nutrition across the lifespan. This study aims to assess the nutritional contribution of food packages distributed by food aid organizations in Barcelona (Spain) to the needs of four types of households. The data were collected biweekly for two months from three food aid organizations in Barcelona. Nutritional information was retrieved from the product label and food composition databases and compared to the EFSA DRV’s for four types of households. Results indicate that nutrient adequacy depends on the organization's food provisioning capacity and household size, with larger households facing higher food insecurity risks. One-person households lacked protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin D, while households with two or more people failed to meet most micronutrient needs. Additionally, the packages often exceeded recommendations for fat and sodium. These findings underscore the vulnerability of food aid recipients to nutritional insufficiency, particularly in households with children who may experience compromised growth and development. Limited resources and high demand generate food packages that do not meet users’ nutritional needs. This research in Spain emphasizes the urgency for policymakers to intervene in food aid organizations and guarantee the supply of food that meets minimum nutrient requirements.
Comparing health care quality in first world countries and third world countries
Authors: Monfared zeinab
Published: April 2024

This comparative study delves into the assessment of healthcare quality between first world countries, characterized by advanced economies, and third world countries, representing developing or less developed economies. Key healthcare quality indicators such as access to care, patient outcomes, healthcare infrastructure, affordability, and overall system performance were analyzed across representative nations from both categories. Findings revealed significant disparities, with first world nations showcasing higher healthcare standards attributed to robust systems and resources, while third world nations faced challenges including limited infrastructure and access barriers. Policy recommendations are suggested to bridge these gaps, emphasizing investments in infrastructure, healthcare education, access to essential services, and leveraging digital technologies for improved healthcare delivery in third world countries. This analysis contributes to understanding global healthcare inequalities and strategies for enhancing healthcare quality across diverse socio-economic contexts.
Intergenerational inequity from hydrological drought in a warming world
Authors: Liu Rutong , Tian Jing , Yin Jiabo , Kang Shengyu , Liu Pan , Ming Bo , Slater Louise
Published: April 2024

As warmer temperatures enhance atmospheric moisture, hydrological droughts tend to intensify in most regions of the globe. Consequently, younger generations are expected to face a more severe risk of hydrological drought during their lifetimes, emphasizing the critical issue of intergenerational inequity due to climate change. To quantify exposure to hydrological drought across generations, we constructed a cascade model chain for drought simulation using hybrid terrestrial models, based on 5 GCM outputs under SSP5-85, five hydrological models and a deep learning model. We then projected future univariate and bivariate hydrological drought evolution in 4091 river basins, and quantified lifetime exposure to drought for the age groups born in 2020 and 1960. Drought severity and duration are projected to increase substantially in the Eastern America, Southern Brazil and Western Europe, over 79% of basins. Extreme droughts far beyond historical records are expected to become more frequent and impact Western Europe in particular. Of note, the exposure of the different age groups to hydrological drought shows a notable disequilibrium. Exposure of people born in 2020 to hydrological drought hazards is projected to increase by 12% over the late 21st century compared to those born in 1960, indicating that the acceleration of climate change is expected to increase the lifetime risk of future generations. The exposure factor of the newborns is 1.4 times higher than that of 80 years of age under warming condition. Our findings underscore that future drought conditions under extreme warming pose a significant threat to the living conditions of younger generations.
Impact of Orthopedic Surgical Interventions on Difficult-to-Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (D2T RA): A Propensity Score Matched Study
Authors: Toyama Shogo , Ishikawa Hajime , Abe Asami , Hao Nariaki , Otani Hiroshi , Takamura Sayuri , Sudo Masanori , Ito Satoshi , Nakazono Kiyoshi , Oda Ryo , Takahashi Kenji , Murasawa Akira
Published: April 2024

Background Even with pharmacotherapy according to current treatment guidelines, the remaining 3–8% of patients with difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA) do not achieve treatment goals. While it is important to accumulate further evidence on pharmacotherapy, it is also essential to accumulate evidence on non-pharmacological therapies as potential alternatives. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of orthopedic surgical intervention (OSI) in D2T RA as a non-pharmacological modality by comparing it to non-D2T RA.Methods A total of 534 recent surgeries were analyzed only in patients who had undergone OSI since 2016 and for whom a 12-month postoperative follow-up was available. D2T RA was determined according to the EULAR definition, and D2T RA patients were matched to non-D2T RA patients by age, sex, disease duration, and anti-citrullinated antibody level, with propensity scores calculated by a logistic regression analysis. Repeated measures of clinical assessments, including the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Disease Activity Index 28 (DAS28), face scale, and patient’s assessment of general health (GH), were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months, and were compared using a two-way analysis of variance with a binary variable for D2T RA.Results The HAQ-DI, DAS28, face scale, and GH showed significant postoperative improvement, and there were significant differences in the HAQ-DI and face scale scores between D2T RA patients and non-D2T RA patients. A two-way analysis of covariance was again performed using DAS28 as a covariate, but there was no significant interaction between DAS28 and either the HAQ-DI or face scale, suggesting that these improvements in clinical assessment were not due to improvements in disease activity, but rather to OSI.Conclusion Non-pharmacologic therapy is a practical option to consider in the absence of effective pharmacologic treatment strategies. Our results provide the first evidence of the efficacy of non-pharmacologic therapy for D2T RA. With appropriate timing and indications, OSI is an effective therapeutic modality for managing D2T RA.
Multi-Agent Organizational Structure: specification and validation
Authors: Bouslimi Issam
Published: April 2024

To design complex Multi-Agent Systems (MAS), the use of high-level abstraction concepts such as roles, protocols, and groups, makes the task relatively easier and closer to the reality of the system or domain that we want to simulate or create. These concepts were introduced through the multi-agent Organizational Models (OM) which can be seen at two levels: i) an abstract level which is the Organizational Structure (OS) and ii) a concrete level which is the Concrete Organization (CO) to be deployed and executed. This article is dedicated to the formal specification and validation of the identified roles in the Organizational Structure before a real deployment to generate systems with organizations exhibiting good qualities. Also, a proposal of a set of steps to automatically generate the code of the designed agent will be presented. In addition, the evaluation of some organizational aspects will be done at the abstract level makes it possible to adjust the design to remedy any failures before a real instantiation. The application domain used in this context, is a Cooperative Information Gathering System (CIGS) for travel organization.
Prediction of Streaks in Rectangular Jets
Authors: Marshall Connor , Edgington-Mitchell Daniel , Nogueira Petronio
Published: April 2024

Streaks in rectangular-jet flows are modeled using resolvent analysis, providing insight into the underlying physics of coherent structures. Two-dimensional, cross-plane resolvent analysis is used to evaluate the most-amplified coherent structures at very low frequencies. The highest-gain mode exhibits a large dipole-like structure, featuring a high-speed streak on one major-axis edge of the jet and a low-speed streak on the other, while the second-highest gain mode is the minor-axis-aligned counterpart. Higher-order modes exhibit finer streak spacing, resembling boundary layer modes. Varying the curvature of the jet corners has minimal impact on the gains and mode shapes, suggesting corner vortices in real rectangular-jet flows may not be primarily caused by free-shear streak formation, at least under the modeling hypothesis. Increasing shear thickness typically decreases gains and disperses mode shapes but sensitivity to the forcing weighting method is evident. Increasing the aspect ratio increases the gains for all modes except for the leading dipole-type modes which exhibit a monotonic decrease. The position of streaks relative to the corners changes with aspect ratio causing some complicated gain dependence.
Sequestration of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions using Snake Tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina L.) Leaf: kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics
Authors: AYENI Oluwaseun A. , BABARINDE Adesola
Published: April 2024

The sequestration of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solution using Snake Tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina L.) leaf (STL) was investigated under various physiochemical parameters. Optimization study carried out using batch biosorption studies on each of the metal ions was found to be dependent on pH. The equilibrium sorption data for the metal system was found to fit best to the Langmuir for Cd(II) and to the Freundlich isotherm for Pb(II) and Zn(II). Pseudo-first order model adequately described the kinetics of Cd(II) while Pseudo-second order model adequately described the kinetics of Pb(II) and Zn(II) sorption with high correlation coefficients, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy change (ΔG°), entropy change (ΔS°) and enthalpy change (ΔH°) indicated that the biosorption process of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) using STL was spontaneous, feasible and exothermic.
IL-22 alleviates sepsis-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting epithelial cell apoptosis via STAT3 signalling
Authors: Zhu Chiying , Chen Jiabo , Yan Zhengzheng , Wang Fei , Sun Ziqi , Liu Zeyu , Chen Xiaona , Bao Ziwei , Li Quan , Chen Zhixia
Published: April 2024

Background Sepsis is a critical condition in which organ dysfunction occurs because of aberrant response to infection, resulting in a life-threatening situation. The lung, which is the most vulnerable target organ, often experiences severe damage. IL-22, which is secreted by various immunocytes, can mitigate inflammation associated with pulmonary fibrosis and lung injury. Nevertheless, its precise function in SALI is still unclear. The current investigation was undertaken to delve into the effect of IL-22 in sepsis. Methods: In this study, a mouse CLP model of sepsis was used to detect the expression of IL-22 and investigate the effect of rIL-22 treatment, following which the survival rate and lung tissue injury and apoptosis was determined. LPS induced bronchial epithelial cells ( BEAS-2B) apoptosis model with or without rIL-22 in vitro to further evaluate the effect and mechanism of IL-22. Results The level of IL-22 in serum and lung tissue was increased after CLP. rIL-22 administration increased the survival rates of septic mice and suppressed the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and alleviated SALI. IL-22 also alleviated apoptosis in lung tissue and decreased the level of cleaved caspase-3/7.Furthermore, rIL-22 alleviated LPS induced BEAS-2Bs apoptosis which was associated with an increase in the phosphorylation of STAT3. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that IL-22 alleviates lung epithelial cell apoptosis and protects mice against SALI via the STAT3 signalling pathway,emphasizing its potential therapeutic value for sepsis.
A Molecularly Imprinted Polymeric Sensor Based on Poly(methyldopa) for Electrochemical Quantification of Formoterol in Raw Material and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form
Authors: Adawy Hamees A. , Hegazy Maha A. , Saad Samah S. , Boltia Shereen A.
Published: April 2024

Catechol amine-derived polymers, which include dopamine and its natural analogues, reveal desirable adhesion characteristics, great biocompatibility, and an achievable antifouling surface, by manipulating electro-polymerization procedures. Methyldopa, a synthesised substitute for dopamine which featuring several phenolic, amine, and carboxylic functional groups, a highly specific and selective molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) was utilized. The significant advancements in polymers with molecular imprints, have stimulated the addition of novel molecules as functional monomers to achieve extra precise and more selective electrochemical determination and quantification for the template analyte formoterol fumarate dihydrate (FFD), which utilized as long-acting beta2-agonist in the controlling of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A polymethyldopa polymer (PMD), was electro-grafted onto pencil graphite electrode (PGE) in the existence of FFD as a template, by UV spectroscopy, the interaction between poly methyldopa (PMD) and template (FFD) has been evaluated. Cyclic voltammetry was applied for electropolymerization of the MIP by scanning potential window over the range of -0.1 to 0.8 voltage versus the reference electrode Ag/AgCl in phosphate buffer at pH equal to 6.5. Indirect method was employed to measure formoterol, where a redox probe (ferrocyanide/ferricyanide) was utilized to detect the binding of FFD to the 3D binding cavities in MIP, by applying the differential pulse voltammetry. The sensor's voltammetric response was steady over a linearity range of 2×10 -10 M – 1 ×10 -9 M of FFD with a detection limit of 1.7×10 -11 M. The International Council for Harmonization’s (ICH) requirements were followed in the validation of the created method, The sensor’s powerful analyte selectivity and sensitivity make it suitable for quantitative evaluation of FFD in the pharmaceutical dosage formulas.
Assessing the AIR Classification Reliability for Estimating Pronation of the First Metatarsal
Authors: Sun Ning , Wang Xuewen , Xu Xiangyu , Li Heng , Li Wenjing , Du Hui , Gong Xiaofeng , Wu Yong
Published: April 2024

Background
Hallux valgus (HV) is a multiplanar deformity and surgical treatment is often guided by two-dimensional radiographic parameters. This study assessed the reliability and accuracy of the AIR classification(The first metatarsal head's lateral edge can be delineated as angular (type A), round (type R), or intermediate (type I) through visual scrutiny or circle measurements on weight-bearing adiographs.)commonly used in clinical settings to categorize the shape of the lateral edge of the first metatarsal head, against measurements from weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT).
Methods
This retrospective study evaluated 18 patients, including 31 feet affected by HV. Two surgeons independently categorized the first metatarsal head's lateral edge by both visual inspection and circle measurement. Additionally, two separate surgeons evaluated the α angle relative to the floor in WBCT scans. The reliability of the measurements was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and weighted kappa statistics.
Results
While the first surgeon demonstrated perfect intra-observer reliability for both visual inspection and circular measurements (kappa values of 1.000 and 0.857, respectively), the second surgeon showed high and perfect reliability (kappa values of 0.759 and 1.000, respectively) for the same assessments. While the interobserver reliability for visual inspection was moderate (kappa values of 0.407 and 0.531, respectively), it was little to low for circular measurements (kappa values of 0.173 and 0.287, respectively). The interobserver reliability for the α angle assessment relative to the floor on WBCT scans was perfect (ICC=0.968).
Conclusion
The AIR classification may not provide a reliable estimation of the pronation of the first metatarsal and thus cannot be relied upon solely for intraoperative direct orthopedic treatments. Consequently, it is imperative to employ three-dimensional measurements instead of relying exclusively on plain radiography. WBCT measurements should also be considered for the preoperative determination of the optimal pronation angle correction to facilitate accurate intraoperative evaluation of the correction degree.
Design of a new fistula plug using acellular small intestinal submucosa with platelet-rich fibrin for anal fistula in rabbit model
Authors: NR Nadia , Golroudbari Hasti Tashak , Banikarimi Armaghan , Heirani-Tabasi Asieh , Behboudi Behnam , Fazeli Mohammad Sadegh , Kazemeini Alireza , Keramati Mohammad Reza , Keshvari Amir , Tafti Seyed Mohsen Ahmadi
Published: April 2024

Background: Anal fistula is an abnormal tract between the anal canal and the perianal skin. Anal fistula plug (AFP) as a sphincter-preventing method has drawn more interest because of its simple procedure and low risk of incontinence. Small intestine submucosa (SIS) as a biomaterial plug has been applied in managing anal fistulae. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a platelet-derived product containing several growth factors. PRF has been widely used for soft tissue regeneration because it promotes angiogenesis and mitogenesis and inhibits inflammation in the wound site. Because of the rigid consistency of SIS and the low mechanical resistance of PRF and their tissue-regenerative properties, we created a novel SIS-PRF plug for managing anal fistula.
Methods: Anal fistulae were created in the rabbit model. 18 rabbits were used. Animals were divided into three groups, including SIS-PRF, SIS and control. Five weeks’ post-treatment, animals were sacrificed, and fistula specimens were obtained.
Results: According to histological analysis, inflammation was significantly lower in the SIS-PRF group compared to other groups. Treatment with both biomaterials increased the number of closed fistula tracts, but it was markedly higher in the SIS-PRF group compared to the SIS group. No foreign body reaction was seen in the SIS-PRF group.
Conclusions: In this study, SIS-PRF reduced inflammation and increased connective tissue in fistulae. Taken together, SIS-PRF can be used in further studies about anal fistula management in humans.
STAR-RIS-aided UAV NOMA Mobile Edge Computing Network with RF Energy Harvesting
Authors: Ha Dac-Binh , Truong Truong , Truong Tien-Vu , Phan Thanh-Minh , Vo Van Nhan
Published: April 2024

In the ultra-reliable, low-latency next-generation mobile network (beyond 5G or 6G), a resource-constrained unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) user needs continuous energy-providing and mobile edge computing (MEC) facilities. In this study, we deploy the radio frequency (RF) power station to provide energy to the UAV, accompanied by simultaneous transmitting and reflecting reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (STAR-RIS) to assist a UAV user in offloading its tasks. In particular, this system consists of a power station, a UAV, and two access points, each of which has an MEC server and a STAR RIS installed within the building. The power station can transfer wireless power to the UAV via RF waves. A UAV user can apply the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) schemes to offload its tasks to access points via STAR-RIS. In order to evaluate and optimize the performance, we derive the approximately closed-form expression for successful computation and energy outage probabilities by using the statistical characteristics of channel gains.
Moreover, we introduced PRGA, a real-coded genetic algorithm-based algorithm, to determine the optimal resource parameters and attain the highest system performance.
Based on these criteria, we investigate the behaviors of a proposed system according to the system's critical parameters, such as time switching ratio, transmit power, power allocation coefficient, data dividing ratio, number of elements of STAR-RIS, and altitude of the UAV. We also provide computer simulation results to validate our analysis. Finally, the research results have revealed that STAR-RIS can improve the performance of MEC networks by creating a smart communication environment.
Further Improvements to classical standard precipitation index (SPI) calculations
Authors: Şen Zekâi
Published: April 2024

Global warming coupled climate change impacts show their end results in the form of extreme events including floods and droughts. Droughts are creeping phenomena and their prediction is more related to precipitation events and in many parts of the world droughts occurrences become temporally and spatially effective. In the literature, there is the concept of standard precipitation index (SPI) that provide classification of the drought based on the standard normal (Gaussian( probability distribution function (PDF) which is a product of the original time series record data PDF that may have various forms such as Gamma, Weibull, Log-Normal, Pearson, and like. As for SPI there are publications that are based on statistical standardization procedure whereas it should be probabilistic standardization methodology. On the other hand, many publications concentrate on conversion of the original PDF of the time series to Gamma PDF and then apply the normalization procedure. In this paper conversion of any PDF to Gamma PDF is noticed as misconception except in the case of original PDF confirms with Gamma PDF: It is well known that almost all hydro-meteorology time series have various PDF not abide with Gamma PDF: The mistakes of conversion to Gamma PDF prior to SPI is explained verbally and numerically and the genuine proper SPI procedure methodology is proposed in detail. The application of the proposed methodology is given for seven meteorology station records from seven internal climate zones of Türkiye.
Construction and optimization of ecological security patterns based on ecosystem services in the Wuhan metropolitan area
Authors: Chen Beiling , Zhu Jianhua , Liu Huayan , Zeng Lixiong , Li Fuhua , Xiao Zhiyan , Duan Yixuan , Xiao Wenfa
Published: April 2024

Context: Rapid urbanization has affected ecosystem stability, which can be effectively mitigated by building an Ecological Security Pattern (ESP). Previous research has mainly focused on ESP identification in a single year, ignoring the change of various landscape elements in ESP on a time scale.
Objectives: We sought to improve the solution. We aimed to construct and optimize ESPs in different years, analyze their variations over time, and provide references for ecological security protection.
Methods: We developed a framework in 2000, 2010, and 2020 to study the Wuhan Metropolitan Area (WMA) ESP. The ESPs were established by circuit theory and were optimized by the Centrality Mapper and the gravity model.
Results: The findings indicated that the research area's key landscape elements exhibited clear spatial aggregation, they were mostly located in the east and south and gradually expanded to the north over the previous 20 years. From 2000 to 2020, there was a first decrease and then an increase in ecological source and corridor numbers. This change was also reflected in pinch points and barriers. We eventually obtained the optimized ESP in the three periods, among which the ESP in 2020 includes 9 primary, 21 secondary, and 48 tertiary ecological sources, 141 primary, and 37 secondary corridors, with 170.46 km2 barriers and 197.42 km2 pinch points.
Conclusion: This research framework extends the time scale of ESP construction, providing the theoretical basis and reference for regional sustainable development and landscape pattern optimization in the process of urbanization.
Comparative Genetic Gain Study of Desi and Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties for Yield and Related Traits in Ethiopia
Authors: Gebeyaw Mekonnen , Fikre Asnake , Abate Alemu , Setotaw Tesfahun Alemu
Published: April 2024

This trail was initiated to assess the rate of genetic gain achieved so far in Ethiopian chickpea improvement program to re-design an effective improvement strategy for the future activity. Twenty-eight Desi and Kabuli type chickpea varieties released in Ethiopia were included in this trail. As a result of simple linear regression analysis, the genetic gain in grain yield for Desi typechickpea varietie was ~ 33.44 kg/ha/year (P ≤ 0.01, R2 = 0.44) with relative genetic gain of 2.08% per year or about 95.68% in yield potential over the last 46 years since 1974 to 2020. On the other hand, there was non significant (7.9kg/ha/year, P ≥ 0.05, R2 = 0.021) genetic gain improvement in Kabuli type chickpea varieties with respect to grain yield with relative genetic gain of 0.37% per year or about 16.65% in grain yield potential over the last 45 years since 1974 to 2019. Besides, the genetic gain in terms of hundred seed weight were 0.24g per year (P ≤ 0.05, R2 = 0.27) for Desi type and 0.36g per year (P ≤ 0.01, R2 = 0.21) for Kabuli type chickpea varieties with relative genetic gain of 1.92% and 1.94% per year, in that order. This study revealed that in grain yield, better genetic gain was achieved in Desi type chickpea varieties than Kabuli type chickpea varieties whereas, remarkable genetic gain in seed size was attained in Kabuli type than in Desi type chickpea varieties.
Respiratory viral infection promotes the awakening and outgrowth of dormant metastatic breast cancer cells in lungs
Authors: Chia Shi B. , Johnson Bryan J. , Hu Junxiao , Vermeulen Roel , Chadeau-Hyam Marc , Guntoro Fernando , Montgomery Hugh , Boorgula Meher Preethi , Sreeka Varsha , Goodspeed Andrew , Davenport Bennett , Pereira Felipe V. , Zaberezhnyy Vadym , Schleicher Wolfgang E. , Gao Dexiang , Cadar Andreia N. , Papanicolaou Michael , Beheshti Afshin , Baylin Stephen B. , Costello James , Bartley Jenna M. , Morrison Thomas E. , Aguirre-Ghiso Julio A. , Rincon Mercedes , DeGregori James
Published: April 2024

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer globally. Most deaths from breast cancer are due to metastatic disease which often follows long periods of clinical dormancy1. Understanding the mechanisms that disrupt the quiescence of dormant disseminated cancer cells (DCC) is crucial for addressing metastatic progression. Infection with respiratory viruses (e.g. influenza or SARS-CoV-2) is common and triggers an inflammatory response locally and systemically2,3. Here we show that influenza virus infection leads to loss of the pro-dormancy mesenchymal phenotype in breast DCC in the lung, causing DCC proliferation within days of infection, and a greater than 100-fold expansion of carcinoma cells into metastatic lesions within two weeks. Such DCC phenotypic change and expansion is interleukin-6 (IL-6)-dependent. We further show that CD4 T cells are required for the maintenance of pulmonary metastatic burden post-influenza virus infection, in part through attenuation of CD8 cell responses in the lungs. Single-cell RNA-seq analyses reveal DCC-dependent impairment of T-cell activation in the lungs of infected mice. SARS-CoV-2 infected mice also showed increased breast DCC expansion in lungs post-infection. Expanding our findings to human observational data, we observed that cancer survivors contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection have substantially increased risks of lung metastatic progression and cancer-related death compared to cancer survivors who did not. These discoveries underscore the significant impact of respiratory viral infections on the resurgence of metastatic cancer, offering novel insights into the interconnection between infectious diseases and cancer metastasis.