bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing High- and Low-Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Living-Donor Liver Transplantation to Determine Clinical Efficacy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (CHALICE Study)
Authors: Jayant Kumar , Cotter Thomas G. , Reccia Isabella , Virdis Francesco , Podda Mauro , Machairas Nikolaos , Arasaradnam Ramesh P. , Sabato Diego di , LaMattina John C. , Barth Rolf N. , Witkowski Piotr , Fung John J.
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Various studies have demonstrated that low-Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) living-donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients have better outcomes with improved patient survival than deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT) recipients. LDLT recipients gain the most from being transplanted at MELD <25–30; however, some existing data have outlined that LDLT may provide equivalent outcomes in high-MELD and low-MELD patients, although the term “high” MELD is arbitrarily defined in the literature and various cut-off scores are outlined between 20 and 30, although most commonly, the dividing threshold is 25. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare LDLT in high-MELD with that in low-MELD recipients to determine patient survival and graft survival, as well as perioperative and postoperative complications. Methods: Following PROSPERO registration CRD-42021261501, a systematic database search was conducted for the published literature between 1990 and 2021 and yielded a total of 10 studies with 2183 LT recipients; 490 were HM-LDLT recipients and 1693 were LM-LDLT recipients. Results: Both groups had comparable mortality at 1, 3 and 5 years post-transplant (5-year HR 1.19; 95% CI 0.79–1.79; p-value 0.40) and graft survival (HR 1.08; 95% CI 0.72, 1.63; p-value 0.71). No differences were observed in the rates of major morbidity, hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary complications, intra-abdominal bleeding, wound infection and rejection; however, the HM-LDLT group had higher risk for pulmonary infection, abdominal fluid collection and prolonged ICU stay. Conclusions: The high-MELD LDLT group had similar patient and graft survival and morbidities to the low-MELD LDLT group, despite being at higher risk for pulmonary infection, abdominal fluid collection and prolonged ICU stay. The data, primarily sourced from high-volume Asian centers, underscore the feasibility of living donations for liver allografts in high-MELD patients. Given the rising demand for liver allografts, it is sensible to incorporate these insights into U.S. transplant practices.
Research on High-Speed Catamaran Motion Reduction with Semi-Active Control of Flexible Pontoon
Authors: Li Jiong , Li Zheng , Wu Yongkang , Xiong Xianqi , Li Zhi , Xiong Wei
Published: September 2023

A high-speed catamaran with a suspension system and flexible pontoons to reduce motion is proposed, and the vertical motion characteristics of the vessel are investigated. The results demonstrate that altering the stiffness of the flexible pontoon can significantly alter the motion characteristics of a high-speed vessel when subjected to wave excitation. The maximum relative error between the theoretical and experimental values of the vertical dynamic characteristics of the flexible pontoon, considered as a gas spring, is 10.5%. The vertical force exerted by the pontoon exhibits nonlinear behavior in response to compression, yet displays approximately linear behavior within its primary operational range. The design of the Linear Quadratic Regulator controller, utilizing genetic algorithm optimization, avoids the issue of subjectively setting weight coefficients typically found in traditional control systems. This approach achieves the objective of determining the optimal feedback matrix within specified constraints. Simulation results illustrate that the LQR controller developed using genetic algorithm significantly enhance the semi-active suspension performance compared to the passive suspension system. The Root Mean Square value of the main cabin acceleration is reduced by 85.82%, simultaneously reducing the RMS value of the suspension dynamic travel by 85.03% and the RMS value of the pontoon dynamic displacement by 24.42%. These outcomes thoroughly substantiate the effective reduction in vertical motion, effectively attenuating the motion of high-speed vessels under wave excitation.
Predictive Performance of Scoring Systems for Mortality Risk in Patients with Cryptococcemia: An Observational Study
Authors: Liao Wei-Kai , Hsieh Ming-Shun , Hu Sung-Yuan , Huang Shih-Che , Tsai Che-An , Chang Yan-Zin , Tsai Yi-Chun
Published: September 2023

Cryptococcal infection is usually diagnosed in immunocompromised individuals and those with meningeal involvement, accounting for most cryptococcosis. Cryptococcemia indicates a poor prognosis and prolongs the course of treatment. We use the scoring systems to predict the mortality risk of cryptococcal fungemia. This was a single hospital-based retrospective study on patients diagnosed with cryptococcal fungemia confirmed by at least one blood culture collected from the emergency department covering January 2012 and December 2020 from electronic medical records in the Taichung Veterans General Hospital. We enrolled 42 patients, including 28 (66.7%) males and 14 (33.3%) females with a mean age of 63.0 ± 19.7 years. The hospital stay ranged from 1 to 170 days (a mean stay of 44.4 days), and the overall mortality rate was 64.3% (27/42). In univariate analysis, the AUC of ROC for MEWS, RAPS, qSOFA, MEWS plus GCS, REMS, NEWS, and MEDS showed 0.833, 0.842, 0.848, 0.846, 0.846, 0.878, and 0.905. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, all scoring systems, older age, lactate, MAP, and DBP, indicated significant differences between survivor and non-survivor groups. Our results show that all scoring systems could apply in predicting the outcome of patients with cryptococcal fungemia, and the MEDS displays the best performance. We recommend a further large-scale prospective study for patients with cryptococcal fungemia.
Production Efficiency and Income Distribution with Competition Induced by Antitrust Measures
Authors: Stauvermann Peter Josef , Kumar Ronald Ravinesh
Published: September 2023

We use a three-sector overlapping generations model to examine the efficiency characteristics and income distribution in the long-run steady-state equilibrium. Assuming two sectors produce intermediate goods within an oligopolistic competition, we explore the implications for production efficiency and income distribution, given an increase in competition induced by antitrust measures. Our analysis presents the possibility of steady-state welfare under imperfect competition surpassing that of perfect competition when declining competition leads to a redistribution of income from older to younger generations. Nevertheless, greater competition (within oligopoly competition) consistently results in a more equitable income distribution.
Online Food Purchase Behavior: COVID-19 and Community Group Effect
Authors: Liu Weijun , Du Haiyun , Florkowski Wojciech J.
Published: September 2023

Online food community purchases contributed to urban residents’ food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai. The influence of the outbreak on the purchasing behavior of an online food community was examined. An innovative e-commerce model describes how the online community purchases facilitate integration of local food and agri-product resources, and provide consumers, especially residents of densely populated agglomerations, with convenient short-distance distribution. The survey data collected from 1168 residents show that the lockdown severity and food security concerns increased the frequency of residents’ online food purchases. Heterogeneity analysis indicated that the Omicron outbreak effected the online food purchases of those born before the 1990s, males, the less educated, and low-income earners through a community group effect. The internet provides a convenient means of disseminating information, promoting access to local foods, and assuring food access during public health emergencies. Purchasing food online can be further enhanced through standardized management of online communities.
Behavior of C70 Fullerene in a Binary Mixture of Xylene and Tetrahydrofuran
Authors: Makhmanov Urol K. , Esanov Shaxboz A. , Sidigaliyev Dostonbek T. , Musurmonov Kayyum N. , Aslonov Bobirjon A. , Chuliev Tohirjon A.
Published: September 2023

The self-organization properties of C70 fullerene molecules in a xylene/tetrahydrofuran binary mixture were studied for the first time by optical absorption, refractometry, and dynamic light scattering. A correlation has been established between the change in the refractive index of the C70/xylene/tetrahydrofuran solution and the degree of self-organization of C70 molecules in the medium at various concentrations and storage periods of the solution. It is shown that the features of the optical absorption spectrum of C70/xylene/tetrahydrofuran at a fixed low concentration of fullerene are sensitive to its storage time. It was determined that the beginning time of the formation of C70 nanoclusters and their final size depend on the degree of concentration of fullerene and the time spent keeping the solution. The observed nature of the C70 fullerene solution in a binary mixture may help to elucidate its mechanism of self-organization in the future.
Enhancing 6-DoF Object Pose Estimation through Multiple Modality Fusion: A Hybrid CNN Architecture with Cross-Layer and Cross-Modal Integration
Authors: Wang Zihang , Sun Xueying , Wei Hao , Ma Qing , Zhang Qiang
Published: September 2023

Recently, applying the utilization of RGB-D data for robot perception tasks has garnered significant attention in domains like robotics and autonomous driving. However, a prominent challenge in this field lies in the substantial impact of feature robustness on both segmentation and pose estimation tasks. To tackle this challenge, we proposed a pioneering two-stage hybrid Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture, which connects segmentation and pose estimation in tandem. Specifically, we developed Cross-Modal (CM) and Cross-Layer (CL) modules to exploit the complementary information from RGB and depth modalities, as well as the hierarchical features from diverse layers of the network. The CM and CL integration strategy significantly enhanced the segmentation accuracy by effectively capturing spatial and contextual information. Furthermore, we introduced the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM), which dynamically recalibrated the feature maps, enabling the network to focus on informative regions and channels, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the pose estimation task. We conducted extensive experiments on benchmark datasets to evaluate the proposed method and achieved exceptional target pose estimation results, with an average accuracy of 94.5% using the ADD-S AUC metric and 97.6% of ADD-S smaller than 2 cm. These results demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed method.
Nonlinear Skew Lie-Type Derivations on ∗-Algebra
Authors: Madni Md Arshad , Alali Amal S. , Mozumder Muzibur Rahman
Published: September 2023

Let A be a unital ∗-algebra over the complex fields C. For any H1,H2∈A, a product [H1,H2]•=H1H2−H2H1* is called the skew Lie product. In this article, it is shown that if a map ξ : A→A (not necessarily linear) satisfies ξ(Pn(H1,H2,…,Hn))=∑i=1nPn(H1,…,Hi−1,ξ(Hi),Hi+1,…,Hn)(n≥3) for all H1,H2,…,Hn∈A, then ξ is additive. Moreover, if ξ(ie2) is self-adjoint, then ξ is ∗-derivation. As applications, we apply our main result to some special classes of unital ∗-algebras such as prime ∗-algebra, standard operator algebra, factor von Neumann algebra, and von Neumann algebra with no central summands of type I1.
Unified Algorithm of Factorization Method for Derivation of Exact Solutions from Schrödinger Equation with Potentials Constructed from a Set of Functions
Authors: Nigmatullin Raoul R. , Khamzin Airat A.
Published: September 2023

We extend the scope of the unified factorization method to the solution of conditionally and unconditionally exactly solvable models of quantum mechanics, proposed in a previous paper [R.R. Nigmatullin, A.A. Khamzin, D. Baleanu, Results in Physics 41 (2022) 105945]. The possibilities of applying the unified approach in the factorization method are demonstrated by calculating the energy spectrum of a potential constructed in the form of a second-order polynomial in many of the linearly independent functions. We analyze the solutions in detail when the potential is constructed from two linearly independent functions. We show that in the general case, such kinds of potentials are conditionally exactly solvable. To verify the novel approach, we consider several known potentials. We show that the shape of the energy spectrum is invariant to the number of functions from which the potential is formed and is determined by the type of differential equations that the potential-generating functions obey.
Bayesian Identification Procedure for Triple Seasonal Autoregressive Models
Authors: Amin Ayman A. , Alghamdi Saeed A.
Published: September 2023

Triple seasonal autoregressive (TSAR) models have been introduced to model time series date with three layers of seasonality; however, the Bayesian identification problem of these models has not been tackled in the literature. Therefore, in this paper, we have the objective of filling this gap by presenting a Bayesian procedure to identify the best order of TSAR models. Assuming that the TSAR model errors are normally distributed along with employing three priors, i.e., normal-gamma, Jeffreys’ and g priors, on the model parameters, we derive the marginal posterior distributions of the TSAR model parameters. In particular, we show that the marginal posteriors are multivariate t and gamma distributions for the TSAR model coefficients vector and precision, respectively. Using the marginal posterior distribution of the TSAR model coefficients vector, we present an identification procedure for the TSAR models based on a sequence of t-test of significance. We evaluate the accuracy of the proposed Bayesian identification procedure by conducting an extensive simulation study, followed by a real application to hourly electricity load datasets in six European countries.
An Efficient Audio Encryption Scheme Based on Elliptic Curve over Finite Fields
Authors: Ur Rehman Hafeez , Hazzazi Mohammad Mazyad , Shah Tariq , Bassfar Zaid , Shah Dawood
Published: September 2023

Elliptic curve (EC) based cryptographic systems are more trustworthy than the currently used cryptographic approaches since they require less computational work while providing good security. This paper shows how to use an EC to make a good cryptosystem for encrypting digital audio. As a preliminary step, the system uses an EC of a particular type over a binary extension field to distort the digital audio pixel position. It reduces the inter-correlation between pixels in the original audio, making the system resistant to statistical attacks. In creating confusion in the data, an EC over a binary extension field is used to make a different number of substitution boxes (S-boxes). The suggested design employs a unique curve that relies on efficient EC arithmetic operations in the diffusion module. As a result, it generates high-quality pseudo-random numbers (PRNs) and achieves optimal diffusion in encrypted audio files with less processing work. Audio files of various sizes and kinds can all be encrypted using the provided algorithm. Moreover, the results show that this method effectively protects many kinds of audio recordings and is more resistant to statistical and differential attacks.
Machine Learning-Based Model Predictive Control of Two-Time-Scale Systems
Authors: Alnajdi Aisha , Abdullah Fahim , Suryavanshi Atharva , Christofides Panagiotis D.
Published: September 2023

In this study, we present a general form of nonlinear two-time-scale systems, where singular perturbation analysis is used to separate the dynamics of the slow and fast subsystems. Machine learning techniques are utilized to approximate the dynamics of both subsystems. Specifically, a recurrent neural network (RNN) and a feedforward neural network (FNN) are used to predict the slow and fast state vectors, respectively. Moreover, we investigate the generalization error bounds for these machine learning models approximating the dynamics of two-time-scale systems. Next, under the assumption that the fast states are asymptotically stable, our focus shifts toward designing a Lyapunov-based model predictive control (LMPC) scheme that exclusively employs the RNN to predict the dynamics of the slow states. Additionally, we derive sufficient conditions to guarantee the closed-loop stability of the system under the sample-and-hold implementation of the controller. A nonlinear chemical process example is used to demonstrate the theory. In particular, two RNN models are constructed: one to model the full two-time-scale system and the other to predict solely the slow state vector. Both models are integrated within the LMPC scheme, and we compare their closed-loop performance while assessing the computational time required to execute the LMPC optimization problem.
Fast Generalized Sliding Sinusoidal Transforms
Authors: Kober Vitaly
Published: September 2023

Discrete cosine and sine transforms closely approximate the Karhunen–Loeve transform for first-order Markov stationary signals with high and low correlation coefficients, respectively. Discrete sinusoidal transforms can be used in data compression, digital filtering, spectral analysis and pattern recognition. Short-time transforms based on discrete sinusoidal transforms are suitable for the adaptive processing and time–frequency analysis of quasi-stationary data. The generalized sliding discrete transform is a type of short-time transform, that is, a fixed-length windowed transform that slides over a signal with an arbitrary integer step. In this paper, eight fast algorithms for calculating various sliding sinusoidal transforms based on a generalized solution of a second-order linear nonhomogeneous difference equation and pruned discrete sine transforms are proposed. The performances of the algorithms in terms of computational complexity and execution time were compared with those of recursive sliding and fast discrete sinusoidal algorithms. The low complexity of the proposed algorithms resulted in significant time savings.
Multi-Keyword Searchable Identity-Based Proxy Re-Encryption from Lattices
Authors: Zhuang Er-Shuo , Fan Chun-I
Published: September 2023

To protect the privacy of cloud data, encryption before uploading provides a solution. However, searching for target data in ciphertext takes effort. Therefore, searchable encryption has become an important research topic. On the other hand, since the advancement of quantum computers will lead to the crisis of cracking traditional encryption algorithms, it is necessary to design encryption schemes that can resist quantum attacks. Therefore, we propose a multi-keyword searchable identity-based proxy re-encryption scheme from lattices. In addition to resisting quantum attacks, the proposed scheme uses several cryptographic techniques to improve encryption efficiency. First, identity-based encryption is used to reduce the computation and transmission costs caused by certificates. Second, the proposed scheme uses proxy re-encryption to achieve the purpose of outsourced computing, allowing the proxy server to reduce the computation and transmission costs of the users. Third, the proposed multi-keyword searchable encryption can provide AND and OR operators to increase the flexibility of searchability. Moreover, the access structure of the proposed scheme is not based on a linear secret sharing scheme (LSSS), avoiding the errors caused by an LSSS-based structure in decryption or search results. Finally, we also give formal security proof of the proposed scheme under the decisional learning with errors assumption.
Ophthalmological Manifestations in People with HIV from Northeastern Romania
Authors: Cobaschi Mihaela , Loghin Isabela Ioana , Dorobăț Victor Daniel , Silvaș George , Rusu Șerban Alin , Hârtie Vlad , Aramă Victoria
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives: Although ocular disorders can occasionally impact people with HIV over the course of their illness, HIV/AIDS is unmistakably a multisystem disorder. A physician can rule out a wide range of ophthalmic problems with the assistance of an ophthalmologist, from adnexal disorders to posterior segment diseases, including those affecting the optic tract and optic nerve. Materials and Methods: Based on patient medical data from the “St. Parascheva” Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Iasi, we carried out a retrospective clinical investigation on patients with HIV/AIDS and ophthalmological conditions who were hospitalized in northeastern Romania. We seek to draw attention to the characteristics and ophthalmological comorbidities of HIV/AIDS patients. The studied period was between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 2022. Results: There were a total of 38 recorded cases of ophthalmological manifestations in the HIV-infected patients. The research group’s average age was 37.31 years old (standard deviation 9.5693917). Males were primarily impacted, having lower total CD4+ T-lymphocyte levels based on sex and CD4+ T-lymphocyte levels overall. The HIV viral load was 999 268.13 copies/mL on average (standard deviation 1,653,722.9). Of all the patients, we found out that 17 had congenital eye diseases (44.73%) and the others (21, 55.26%) developed ophthalmological diseases. CMV Retinitis was found most frequently, in eight patients (21.05%), followed by Myopia in seven patients (18.42%). Conclusions: The key to the management of HIV-positive patients is a multidisciplinary approach and access to antiretroviral therapy. Anyone who is HIV-positive and experiences ocular symptoms at any time should be directed to seek professional ophthalmologic treatment as soon as feasible. A therapeutic holdup could result in irreversible vision loss. Long-term coordination is required to combat this disease, improving communication between the ophthalmology and infectious disease fields.
In-Situ Observation and Analysis of the Evolution of Copper Aluminum Composite Interface
Authors: Chen Yanfang , Xie Jingpei , Wang Aiqin , Mao Zhiping , Gao Peikai , Chang Qinghua
Published: September 2023

To study the micromorphology and dynamic evolution law of copper aluminum composite interface evolution, ultra-high temperature laser Confocal microscopy (CLSM) was used to observe and analyze the evolution of copper aluminum interface in situ, and then SEM, EDS and other advanced material analysis methods were used to observe the micromorphology of the composite layer, and study the composition of the interface layer and the formation process of the copper aluminum composite interface. The results indicate that the formation of the copper aluminum composite interface layer is mainly related to the mutual diffusion of copper aluminum atoms and the interface reaction between copper and aluminum. The bonding of the copper aluminum composite interface is mainly related to the melting of the metal surface of the interface layer and the mutual diffusion of copper aluminum atoms, which is the main mechanism of the copper aluminum composite interface bonding. The intermetallic compound is mainly Al2Cu. In situ, observation of copper aluminum composite interface shows that there is a clear and relatively flat boundary between copper and the interface layer, while the boundary between aluminum and the interface layer is not straight, which is caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient, Lattice constant and hardness between intermetallic compounds and matrix and between intermetallic compounds. At the same time, it was found that there is a certain relationship between the visual changes of the copper aluminum composite interface image and reaction-diffusion migration during in-situ observation using a confocal laser scanning high-temperature microscope. Moreover, under no pressure, the oxide layer and interface inclusions can seriously affect the interface bonding.
Enhancement of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Nb-TiAl Alloys Prepared Using Laser Additive Manufacturing by Annealing Treatment
Authors: Liang Jianhui , Liu Zhanqi , Wang Haijiang , Yin Guili , Zhu Xiaoou
Published: September 2023

The microstructure, phase composition, hardness, and tensile properties of the Ti-48Al-2Cr-5Nb alloy have been systematically investigated using laser additive manufacturing technology. Results indicate that both the as-deposited and annealed microstructures contain both the α2 (Ti3Al) and γ (TiAl) phases. As the annealing temperature increased, the structure changed significantly from a large block structure to a fine equiaxed structure and finally to a large lamellar structure. Nevertheless, the amount and distribution of precipitation of α2 phase are obviously different, especially during the annealing at 1260 °C, where the fine α2 phases are evenly distributed on the γ phase matrix. The hardness value of the as-deposited sample is the highest, with a HV value of 484 at the room temperature, while the hardness value of the annealed sample at 1260 °C is the smallest, with a HV value of 344. An annealed sample at 1260 °C exhibits the highest tensile strength and elongation at room temperature, with values of 598 MPa and 2.1%, respectively. These values are increased by 1.15 times and 1.4 times compared to the as-deposited sample (519 MPa, 1.5%).
Adsorption Mechanism, Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Anticorrosion Performance of a New Thiophene Derivative for C-Steel in a 1.0 M HCl: Experimental and Computational Approaches
Authors: Toghan Arafat , Gadow H. S. , Fawzy Ahmed , Alhussain Hanan , Salah H.
Published: September 2023

Metal surfaces can become damaged by corrosion when they interact with their surroundings, leading to huge financial losses. The use of corrosion inhibitors is one of the most crucial ways to combat the risky and hazardous effects of corrosion. In the present research, electrochemical techniques and surface analysis have been used to characterize the inhibition properties of (3-hydroxy-4-((4-nitrophenyl)diazenyl)-5-(phenylamino)thiophen-2-yl)(phenyl)methanone for the corrosion of carbon steel in an aerated 1.0 M HCl solution. Steel’s corrosion resistance was discovered to be improved by the presence of the examined inhibitor in 1.0 M HCl medium through the adsorption of the inhibitor species to create a barrier layer. The findings showed that when inhibitor concentrations increased and solution temperatures decreased, the inhibition performance (%IE) of the compound under study enhanced. In the light of inhibitor probe’s chemical makeup and theoretical analysis, the mechanism of the inhibition process was addressed. In a 1.0 M HCl solution containing 5 × 10−5 M of the inhibitor, the inhibition performance, at room temperature, was found to be almost 97%. The electrochemical results revealed that the examined compound successfully prevented carbon steel corrosion as a mixed-type inhibitor. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms are pursued by the adsorption of the examined inhibitor. Additionally, using Arrhenius and transition state equations, the activation thermodynamic parameters ΔEa, ΔH*, and ΔS* were determined and explained. The adsorption process was illustrated using DFT computation and MC simulations. The experimental findings and theoretical simulations concurred surprisingly well. Finally, the paper presents a discussion of the inhibitory mechanism.
Analyzing the Interplay between COVID-19 Viral Load, Inflammatory Markers, and Lymphocyte Subpopulations on the Development of Long COVID
Authors: Rivera-Cavazos Andrea , Luviano-García José Antonio , Garza-Silva Arnulfo , Morales-Rodríguez Devany Paola , Kuri-Ayache Mauricio , Sanz-Sánchez Miguel Ángel , Santos-Macías Juan Enrique , Romero-Ibarguengoitia Maria Elena , González-Cantú Arnulfo
Published: September 2023

The global impact of the SARS-CoV-2 infection has been substantial, affecting millions of people. Long COVID, characterized by persistent or recurrent symptoms after acute infection, has been reported in over 40% of patients. Risk factors include age and female gender, and various mechanisms, including chronic inflammation and viral persistence, have been implicated in long COVID’s pathogenesis. However, there are scarce studies in which multiple inflammatory markers and viral load are analyzed simultaneously in acute infection to determine how they predict for long COVID at long-term follow-up. This study explores the association between long COVID and inflammatory markers, viral load, and lymphocyte subpopulation during acute infection in hospitalized patients to better understand the risk factors of this disease. This longitudinal retrospective study was conducted in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in northern Mexico. Inflammatory parameters, viral load, and lymphocyte subpopulation during the acute infection phase were analyzed, and long COVID symptoms were followed up depending on severity and persistence (weekly or monthly) and assessed 1.5 years after the acute infection. This study analyzed 79 patients, among them, 41.8% presented long COVID symptoms, with fatigue being the most common (45.5%). Patients with long COVID had higher lymphocyte levels during hospitalization, and NK cell subpopulation levels were also associated with long COVID. ICU admission during acute COVID-19 was also linked to the development of long COVID symptoms.
Repurposing Selamectin as an Antimicrobial Drug against Hospital-Acquired Staphylococcus aureus Infections
Authors: Folliero Veronica , Dell’Annunziata Federica , Santella Biagio , Roscetto Emanuela , Zannella Carla , Capuano Nicoletta , Perrella Alessandro , De Filippis Anna , Boccia Giovanni , Catania Maria Rosaria , Galdiero Massimiliano , Franci Gianluigi
Published: September 2023

The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains requires the urgent discovery of new antibacterial drugs. In this context, an antibacterial screening of a subset of anthelmintic avermectins against gram-positive and gram-negative strains was performed. Selamectin completely inhibited bacterial growth at 6.3 μg/mL concentrations against reference gram-positive strains, while no antibacterial activity was found against gram-negative strains up to the highest concentration tested of 50 μg/mL. Given its relevance as a community and hospital pathogen, further studies have been performed on selamectin activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), using clinical isolates with different antibiotic resistance profiles and a reference biofilm-producing strain. Antibacterial studies have been extensive on clinical S. aureus isolates with different antibiotic resistance profiles. Mean MIC90 values of 6.2 μg/mL were reported for all tested S. aureus strains, except for the macrolide-resistant isolate with constitutive macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance phenotype (MIC90 9.9 μg/mL). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that selamectin exposure caused relevant cell surface alterations. A synergistic effect was observed between ampicillin and selamectin, dictated by an FIC value of 0.5 against methicillin-resistant strain. Drug administration at MIC concentration reduced the intracellular bacterial load by 81.3%. The effect on preformed biofilm was investigated via crystal violet and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Selamectin reduced the biofilm biomass in a dose-dependent manner with minimal biofilm eradication concentrations inducing a 50% eradication (MBEC50) at 5.89 μg/mL. The cytotoxic tests indicated that selamectin exhibited no relevant hemolytic and cytotoxic activity at active concentrations. These data suggest that selamectin may represent a timely and promising macrocyclic lactone for the treatment of S. aureus infections.
A High-Throughput Microtiter Plate Screening Assay to Quantify and Differentiate Species in Dual-Species Biofilms
Authors: Campo-Pérez Víctor , Alcàcer-Almansa Júlia , Julián Esther , Torrents Eduard
Published: September 2023

Pathogenic bacteria form biofilms during infection, and polymicrobial biofilms are the most frequent manifestation. Biofilm attachment, maturation, and/or antibiotic sensitivity are mainly evaluated with microtiter plate assays, in which bacteria are stained to enable the quantification of the biomass by optical absorbance or fluorescence emission. However, using these methods to distinguish different species in dual-species or polymicrobial biofilms is currently impossible. Colony-forming unit counts from homogenized dual-species biofilms on selective agar medium allow species differentiation but are time-consuming for a high-throughput screening. Thus, reliable, feasible, and fast methods are urgently needed to study the behavior of polymicrobial and dual-species communities. This study shows that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia strains expressing specific fluorescent or bioluminescent proteins permit the more efficient study of dual-species biofilms compared to other methods that rely on measuring the total biomass. Combining fluorescence and bioluminescence measurements allows an independent analysis of the different microbial species within the biofilm, indicating the degree of presence of each one over time during a dual-species biofilm growth. The quantitative strategies developed in this work are reproducible and recommended for dual-species biofilm studies with high-throughput microtiter plate approaches using strains that can constitutively express fluorescent or bioluminescent proteins.
The Preparation of a Challenging Superconductor Nb3Al by Exploiting Nano Effect
Authors: Luan Chengkai , Cheng Xiyue , Gao Xiuping , Köhler Jürgen , Deng Shuiquan
Published: September 2023

The Nb3Al superconductor with excellent physical and working properties is one of the most promising materials in high-magnetic-field applications. However, it is difficult to prepare high-quality Nb3Al with a desired superconducting transition temperature (Tc) because of its narrow phase formation area at high temperatures (>1940 °C). This work reports a method to prepare stoichiometric Nb3Al powder samples at a relatively low temperature (1400 °C) by exploiting the nano effect of Nb particles with pretreatment of Nb powder under H2/Ar atmosphere. The obtained Nb3Al samples exhibit high Tc’s of ~16.8K. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and statistical mechanics analysis, the crucial role of quantum effect in leading to the success of the preparation method was studied. A new measure of surface energy (MSE) of a model particle is introduced to study its size and face dependence. A rapid convergence of the MSE with respect to the size indicates a quick approach to the solid limit, while the face dependence of MSE reveals a liquid-like behavior. The surface effect and quantum fluctuation of the Nbn clusters explain the success of the preparation method.
Prediction of Cu Zeolite NH3-SCR Activity from Variable Temperature 1H NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Radhakrishnan Sambhu , Smet Sam , Chandran C. Vinod , Sree Sreeprasanth Pulinthanathu , Duerinckx Karel , Vanbutsele Gina , Martens Johan A. , Breynaert Eric
Published: September 2023

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx by ammonia is one of the dominant pollution abatement technologies for near-zero NOx emission diesel engines. A crucial step in the reduction of NOx to N2 with Cu zeolite NH3-SCR catalysts is the generation of a multi-electron donating active site, implying the permanent or transient dimerization of Cu ions. Cu atom mobility has been implicated by computational chemistry as a key factor in this process. This report demonstrates how variable temperature 1H NMR reveals the Cu induced generation of sharp 1H resonances associated with a low concentration of sites on the zeolite. The onset temperature of the appearance of these signals was found to strongly correlate with the NH3-SCR activity and was observed for a range of catalysts covering multiple frameworks (CHA, AEI, AFX, ERI, ERI-CHA, ERI-OFF, *BEA), with different Si/Al ratios and different Cu contents. The results point towards universal applicability of variable temperature NMR to predict the activity of a Cu-zeolite SCR catalyst. The unique relationship of a spectroscopic feature with catalytic behavior for zeolites with different structures and chemical compositions is exceptional in heterogeneous catalysis.
The Separation, Purification, Structure Identification, and Antioxidant Activity of Elaeagnus umbellata Polysaccharides
Authors: Zhang Jinhua , Xu Xin , Liu Xinyi , Chen Min , Bai Baoqing , Yang Yukun , Bo Tao , Fan Sanhong
Published: September 2023

In order to investigate the antioxidant activity of Elaeagnus umbellata polysaccharides, the physicochemical characteristics of purified Elaeagnus umbellata polysaccharides (EUP, consisting of two fractions, EUP1 and EUP2) were investigated using UV spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). This revealed that EUP1 and EUP2 were acidic polysaccharides with an average molecular weight (MW) of 63 and 38 kDa, respectively. EUP1 mainly consisted of L-rhamnose and D-galactose in a molar ratio of 2.05:1, and EUP2 consisted of D-mannose, L-rhamnose, D-galactose, and D-arabinose in a molar ratio of 2.06:1:2.78:1. Furthermore, EUP exhibited considerable antioxidant potential for scavenging hydroxyl, superoxide anion, DPPH, and ABTS radicals. Therefore, EUP can be developed as a potential antioxidant for the functional food or pharmaceutical field.
Photocatalytic Degradation Studies of Organic Dyes over Novel Cu/Ni Loaded Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid Nanocomposite: Adsorption, Kinetics and Thermodynamic Studies
Authors: Kanwal Amina , Shahzadi Tayyaba , Riaz Tauheeda , Zaib Maria , Khan Safia , Habila Mohamed A. , Sillanpaa Mika
Published: September 2023

Nowadays, for environmental remediation, photocatalytic process involving graphene-based semiconductors is considered a very promising oxidation process for water treatment. In the present study, nanocomposite (Cu/Ni/rGO) has been synthesized by Dypsis lutescens leaf extract. Characterization of the sample was carried out by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Different parameters like contact time, nanocatalyst amount, dye concentration, effect of temperature. and pH factor were optimized to examine the maximum removal efficiency for dyes rhodamine B and alizarine R with and without visible light source. In both cases, i.e., with or without light, maximum removal was observed at 20 mg of nanocatalyst for 5 ppm concentration of both dyes at 45 °C temperature and pH 10 for rhodamine B and pH 4 for alizarine R, respectively with a 20 min contact time. Maximum removal of dyes 93% rhodamine B and 91% alizarine R were observed under a tungsten lamp as compared to without a tungsten lamp, i.e., 78% of RhB and 75% of AR from mixture solution of these dyes. To assess the rate of reaction, spontaneity, and nature of reaction thermodynamics, kinetics and adsorption isotherms were studied. Thermodynamic values indicated that both dyes depicted endothermic and spontaneous degradation processes. Isotherm data fitted best to a Freundlich isotherm, while results of kinetic studies of both dyes followed the pseudo 2nd order kinetic equation. In the end, scavenging radical studies concluded that hydroxyl radicals were the main active specie involved in the photocatalytic degradation process, and regeneration experiments resulted that Cu/Ni/rGO nanocomposites were re-utilized for about four times.
Benefits of Fiber-Enriched Foods on Satiety and Parameters of Human Well-Being in Adults with and without Cardiometabolic Risk
Authors: Ehret Janine , Brandl Beate , Schweikert Karsten , Rennekamp Rachel , Ströbele-Benschop Nanette , Skurk Thomas , Hauner Hans
Published: September 2023

Consumption of fiber-rich foods is linked to beneficial effects on chronic diseases and gut health, while implications towards improving satiety and parameters of well-being remain unclear. A randomized placebo-controlled intervention study was conducted to compare the effects of fiber-enriched foods to their non-enriched counterparts in adults over a 12-week period on selected clinical parameters—satiety, quality of life, body sensation, and life satisfaction—subjective health status, and importance of diet for well-being. Quality of life (QOL) differed significantly between intervention and control groups at baseline, throughout, and at the end of the study. No effects on satiety, satisfaction with life, or the importance of diet for well-being could be shown between groups. With higher fiber intake, body sensation ratings increased. A higher BMI was significantly associated with lower-body sensation, subjective health status and quality of life. Fiber-enriched foods do not seem to affect feeling of satiety or parameters of well-being. Larger samples and additional methods are necessary to fully explore the effect of increased fiber intake on patient-related outcomes in more detail.
The Effect of a Very-Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) vs. a Moderate Energy Deficit Diet in Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)—A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Deshmukh Harshal , Papageorgiou Maria , Wells Liz , Akbar Shahzad , Strudwick Thomas , Deshmukh Ketki , Vitale Salvatore Giovanni , Rigby Alan , Vince Rebecca V. , Reid Marie , Sathyapalan Thozhukat
Published: September 2023

We performed an open-label, randomised controlled trial to compare the effects of a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) vs. moderate energy deficit approach on body weight, body composition, free androgen index (FAI), and metabolic markers in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Forty eligible patients were randomly assigned to a VLCD (n = 21) or a conventional energy deficit approach (n = 19) over the same period. After eight weeks, both groups experienced significant weight loss; however, this was greater in the VLCD arm (−10.9% vs. −3.9%, p < 0.0001). There was also a trend towards a reduction in FAI in the VLCD group compared to the energy deficit group (−32.3% vs. −7.7%, p = 0.07). In the VLCD arm, two women (18%) had a biochemical remission of PCOS (FAI < 4); this was not the case for any of the participants in the energy deficit arm. There was a significant within-group increase in the sex-hormone-binding globulin (p = 0.002) and reductions in fasting blood glucose (p = 0.010) and waist to hip ratio (p = 0.04) in the VLCD arm, but not in the energy deficit arm. The VLCD resulted in significantly greater weight reduction and was accompanied by more pronounced improvements in hyperandrogenaemia, body composition, and several metabolic parameters in obese women with PCOS as compared to the energy deficit approach.
Perceptions on Healthy Eating Impact the Home Food Environment: A Qualitative Exploration of Perceptions of Indigenous Food Gatekeepers in Urban Fiji
Authors: Buksh Shazna M. , Hay Phillipa , de Wit John B. F.
Published: September 2023

The home food environment (HFE) can have important direct and indirect impacts on dietary practices. Nutrient transitions in the HFE of Pacific Island countries (PICs) are key contributors of the high rates of adult and childhood overweight and obesity in the region. Pacifica mothers are important sociocultural agents who play critical roles in their HFE through setting eating-appropriateness standards and mitigating the impacts of food availability and accessibility on the HFE. This study used an interpretative phenomenological approach to explore how urban indigenous Fijian mothers perceive healthy eating and how these perceptions impacted the food decisions they made for their families. Mothers in this study held complex, multifaceted perceptions on healthy eating and these perceptions had both positive and negative impacts on the family food choices they made, the strategies they adopted for healthy eating and their perceived motivators for healthy eating. The findings of this study underscore the need for a deeper understanding and analysis of uptake of public health messaging related to healthy and unhealthy eating and the importance of targeted promotion of healthful nutrition in this community. Promoting consumption of traditional and locally grown foods can enhance nutrition and food security and combat nutrition transition in the region.
Body Composition Analysis in Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Onishi Saori , Fukuda Akira , Matsui Masahiro , Ushiro Kosuke , Nishikawa Tomohiro , Asai Akira , Kim Soo Ki , Nishikawa Hiroki
Published: September 2023

We sought to examine body composition using bioimpedance analysis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD, 2014 males and 949 females). Factors linked to the fat-free mass index (FF index) were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis. An FF index < 18 kg/m2 in males and an FF index < 15 kg/m2 in females were defined as having decreased skeletal muscle mass. The median age and body mass index (BMI) were 55 years and 25.4 kg/m2 in males, and 57 years and 25.4 kg/m2 in females, respectively. The FF index strongly correlated with muscle mass index both in males (r = 0.999) and females (r = 0.999). The prevalence of patients with an FF index < 18 kg/m2 in males and an FF index < 15 kg/m2 in females was well stratified according to age, BMI, severity of FL, and FIB4 index. In the males, in the multivariate analysis, BMI (p < 0.0001), fat mass index (p < 0.0001), and waist circumference (p = 0.0050) were found to be significant factors linked to FF index. In the females, in the multivariate analysis, BMI (p < 0.0001) and fat mass index (p < 0.0001) were found to be significant. In conclusion, fat accumulation as reflected by BMI, which is an easily available marker, could be a useful indicator for the skeletal muscle mass in MAFLD.
ALDH1A Inhibition Suppresses Colitis and Alters α4β7 Integrin Expression on Activated T Cells in Mdr1a−/− Mice
Authors: Seamons Audrey , Staucean Olesya , Snyder Jessica M. , Brabb Thea , Hsu Charlie C. , Paik Jisun
Published: September 2023

There are limited pharmacological treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and some of these options are expensive and administered by injection or infusion. Thus, new cheaper and easier (oral) treatment options are needed. ALDH1A enzymes produce retinoic acid that can affect intestinal diseases such as IBD by regulating immune cells in the gut. We previously demonstrated that an orally deliverable ALDH1A inhibitor, WIN 18,466, can suppress colitis in an acute mouse model of IBD. Here, we tested the efficacy of ALDH1A inhibition in a chronic mouse model of IBD. Mdr1a−/− mice were treated with a diet containing WIN 18,446 starting 1 week prior to inducing colitis by H. bilis inoculation. Treatment was continued until the study end point and colitis was monitored based on clinical symptoms and confirmed by histological analysis. Immune cell phenotypes in colon-draining lymph nodes (cMLN) were analyzed. WIN 18,446 treatment reduced clinical symptoms and improved histopathologic colitis scores. This was associated with decreased expression of the gut homing integrin, α4β7, on T cells in cMLN; increased expression of CD103, a protein associated with tissue-resident memory T cells; and changes in dendritic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells and B cells in inhibitor-treated mice. ALDH1A inhibition broadly influences immune cells during colitis and is a potential new target for IBD treatment. Future studies will be needed to determine the efficacy of ALDH1A inhibition on active colitis and to evaluate its relative efficacy in comparison to approved drugs.