bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery of eelgrass Zostera marina following conversion of conventional block and chain moorings to conservation mooring systems in Massachusetts: context dependence, challenges, and management
Authors: Seto Iris , Evans N. Tay , Carr Jillian , Frew Kate , Rousseau Mark , Schenck Forest
Published: March 2023

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows and boat mooring fields co-occur in near-shore, relatively sheltered embayments. Traditional chain moorings create denuded scars in eelgrass meadows due to repeated and chronic scour of the seafloor by the chain, impacting meadow contiguity and quality. This study assessed the recovery of eelgrass into mooring scars following the conversion of traditional chain moorings to floating rode conservation mooring systems (CMS) in three Massachusetts harbors. The magnitude and rate of eelgrass recovery following conversion to floating rode CMS was contingent on the location (e.g., site specific environmental conditions) and the size of the scar associated with the mooring. Eelgrass recovery was inversely correlated with exposure and tidal range, and positively correlated with original scar size. While most scars started to revegetate within two years of mooring conversion, few experienced complete recovery, with a two meter denuded halo persisting around mooring anchors five years post-conversion. In some cases, scar sizes increased where floating rode CMS dragged on the seafloor due to inadequate depth, oversizing of gear, or fouling. Transplanting vegetative eelgrass shoots into scars following conversion to floating rode CMS did not increase the extent or quality of eelgrass habitat restored. We show that floating rode CMS can be an important tool for eelgrass conservation and restoration, however, challenges pertaining to site-specific design, installation, long-term maintenance, and public perception must be addressed to fully realize this potential.
Long-Term Effects of Aflibercept Injections on Lesion-Free Retina in Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Demir Nur , Kayhan Belma , Sevincli Sukru , Sonmez Murat
Published: March 2023

Purpose
The study aimed to investigate the adverse effects of long-term aflibercept injections on the lesion-free retina in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
Methods
This retrospective, comparative study consisted of aflibercept-injected 48 eyes diagnosed with nAMD, treatment-naive 42 nAMD eyes, and 40 eyes with drusen in the control group. The measurements were done with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The center of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid was centered at a 3-mm distance from the foveola temporally. Total retinal thickness and the thicknesses of each retinal layer in the outer temporal subfield of the ETDRS grid were measured separately. One-way ANOVA test for normally distributed variables was applied for analyses of differences for the comparison of the results between groups. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
The median follow-up time was 51.35 ± 20.92 months. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) was highest in the treated nAMD group, followed by the treatment-naive nAMD and drusen groups. However, the difference between the treated nAMD and drusen groups showed statistical significance (17.77 ± 2.57 µm; 16.15 ± 1.81 µm, p < 0.05). Total retina, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, outer nuclear layer, and retina pigment epithelium thicknesses didn’t show a statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
The study demonstrated an increase in RNFL thickness in the lesion-free retina after long-term aflibercept treatments. This finding may suggest the expansion of AMD pathology to the normal-appearing retina rather than the aflibercept effect.
Association between fear of COVID-19, religious belief and depressive symptoms in adolescents
Authors: Xiu Meihong , Chen Jianghe , Qu Miao
Published: March 2023

There has been accumulating interest in the association of religion with mental status in adolescents. However, the impact of the interaction between religion and stress on adolescents remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the psychiatric symptoms among religious adolescents at the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. A total of 11,603 Chinese adolescents were recruited in this survey. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were assessed for all adolescents. Of 11,069 valid questionnaires collected, 847 (7.7%) reported holding religious beliefs. Religious adolescents showed significantly more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to non-religious adolescents. 249 (2.2%) reported exposure to COVID-19 and had more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms as compared to those without such exposure. Logistic regression analysis revealed that religiosity was a risk factor for the symptoms of depression (OR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.16–1.61, p < 0.001) and anxiety (OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.23–1.79, p < 0.001). Our finding suggests that religious adolescents easily develop depressive and anxiety symptoms, compared to non-religious adolescents. Parents and education workers should regularly monitor adolescents with religious beliefs, especially those who had poor parent-child relationships and emotional or physical abuse.
Exploration of clozapine-induced cardiomyopathy and its mechanism
Authors: Zhang Shangyu , Yang Li , Zen Yujie , Jin Pengyue , Li Yongguo , Tang Renkuan
Published: March 2023

In this study, by pooling the clinical data of patients who died with a history of long-term clozapine use and by examining their hearts, it was found that long-term clozapine use can lead to cardiomyopathy and that its presentation resembles arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) i.e., it exhibits a predominantly right ventricular fatty infiltration with mild left ventricular damage. The cause of clozapine cardiomyopathy was then explored by a transcriptomic approach, which revealed that its clozapine action on cardiomyocytes enriched cardiomyocyte-related differential genes in biological processes such as muscle development and response to hypoxia, as well as pathways such as fatty acid metabolism and cellular autophagy. Combined with the results of pathological examination and transcriptomic analysis, it can be concluded that the long-term action of clozapine on cardiomyocytes leads to cellular autophagy and subsequent structural remodeling of the heart, and in the remodeling affects fatty acid metabolism, which eventually leads to ARVC-like changes.
ZNF500 suppresses the proliferation of breast cancer cells and sensitizes them to chemotherapy by stabilizing p53 in a manner that is competitive to MDM2
Authors: Ma Xiaowen , Fan Mingwei , Yang Kaibo , Wang Yuanyuan , Hu Ran , Guan Mengyao , Hou Yuekang , Ying Jiao , Deng Ning , Li Qingchang , Jiang Guiyang , Zhang Yong , Zhang Xiupeng
Published: March 2023

Background: Zinc finger protein 500 (ZNF500) has an unknown expression pattern and biological function in human tissues. This study was designed to determine what role ZNF500 played in breast cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance.
Methods: Firstly, we assessed the expression pattern of ZNF500 by bioinformatics assay and immunohistochemistry staining. Colony formation assay, MTT assay, EdU assay, flow cytometric analysis, western blotting analysis, mice xenograft model, immunofluorescence assay, RT-PCR, PCR-array, GST-pull down assay and immunoprecipitation assay were performed to investigate the effect of ZNF500 on proliferation, chemotherapy sensitivity and P53-P21-E2F4 signaling axis activation. Secondly, we constructed ZNF500-ΔC2H2, ZNF500-ΔSCAN,ZNF500-ΔKRAB, P53-ΔC, P53-ΔDBD, P53-ΔN mutant plasmids. Immunoprecipitation assay, GST-pull down assay, and western blotting analysis were performed to evaluate interaction among ZNF500, P53 and MDM2, as well as their impact on chemotherapy sensitivity. Finally, immunohistochemistry analysis was used to assess the expression of ZNF500, P53 and E2F4 in clinical tissue samples and its correlation with chemotherapy resistance.
Results:We found that ZNF500 was highly expressed in breast cancer, but negatively correlated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. ZNF500 overexpression abolished in vivo and in vitro breast cancer cell proliferation by activating the p53-p21-E2F4 signaling axis and directly interacted with p53 via its C2H2 domain. This may prevent ubiquitination of p53 in a manner that is competitive to MDM2, thus stabilizing p53. When ZNF500-∆C2H2 was overexpressed, suppressed proliferation of breast cancer cells was neutralized in vitroand in vivo. In human breast cancer tissues, ZNF500 expression was positively correlated with p53and E2F4 expression. ZNF500 expression was significantly lower in patients with Miller/Payne Grade 1–2 than that in those with Miller/PayneGrade 3–5.
Conclusions: Our data suggest that ZNF500 can directly bind to the C-terminal of p53 via its C2H2 domain. This interaction may prevent ubiquitin-mediated degradation by MDM2, thus abrogating the proliferation of breast cancer cells, strengthening DNA damage, and sensitizing breast cancer patients to chemotherapy.
The function of miR-27b on the chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhuo Lijuan , Zhan Lingling , Chen Hong , Zhang Wenmin , Gao Meiqin , Huang Aimin
Published: March 2023

The chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with certain microRNA level. Specifically, previous studies have found that miR-27b expression is upregulated in all four HCC drug-resistance cell lines. Despite that, the function of miR-27b in HCC is not clear yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of miR-27b on chemotherapy resistance in a model of HCC. To establish stable overexpression of miR-27b and negative control HCC cell lines, a lentiviral pre-miR-27b overexpression vector and negative control vector were transfected into each cell line. The expression of miR-27b was detected with quantitative real-time PCR. CCK-8 assay, clone formation assay and immunohistochemical assay were used to detect cell proliferation. Apoptosis and drug sensitivity were detected by flow cytometry and MTT assay, respectively. The level of miR-27b in five HCC cell lines (Huh-7, HepG2, SK-Hep1 and MHCC97h, SMMC7721) was lower than that of in the normal liver cell line LO2. miR-27b level in HCC tissues was also lower than in liver tissues adjacent to the tumor. Two stable miR-27b overexpression HCC cell lines (Huh-7/miR-27b and HepG2/miR-27b) and their control cell lines (Huh-7/NC and HepG2/NC) were successfully constructed. We found that upregulation of miR-27b can reduced chemosensitivity of HCC cell to 5-FU, ADR and CDDP. Simultaneously, miR-27b promote cell apoptosis and suppress cell proliferation. Our study suggests that miR-27b acts as a biomarker to estimate drug sensitivity to chemotherapy in HCC patients. In addition, miR-27b functions as an HCC suppressor.
Classification of Second Order Painlevé Type Equations Under the Mei Symmetrical Transformations
Authors: Rehman Haseeb Ur , Feroze Tooba
Published: March 2023

Ince provided fifty second-order ordinary differential equations of Painlevé type. In this paper, the Mei symmetries correspond to the Lagrangian of the Painlevé-Gambier classification are investigated as well as the Mei invariants along with their respective gauge functions. On the basis of the number of Mei symmetries , these equations are classified. The existence of Mei symmetries can be correlated with the autonomous and non-autonomous properties of ordinary differential equations of Painlevé type.
MSC (2020). 76M60; 22E70; 35A30; 58J70
Pitting Influence on Electrical Capacitance in EHL Rolling Contacts
Authors: Zaiat Anatoly , Ibrahim Karim , Kirchner Eckhard
Published: March 2023

This work presents an investigation on the influence of pitting in EHL rolling contact. The pit-ting geometry comes as an extension on the architecture for multi-physical numerical calculations ofrolling element bearing contacts based on OpenFOAM. The model utilized is built according to thestate-of-the-art for fluid-solid interaction and electro-quasi-static fields. In this framework, the con-tact is reduced to be two dimensional in order to reduce the computing costs needed. The changesin the electric properties, that are caused by pittings, are measured using the electric capacitanceof the contact and put in perspective to the EHL contacts geometry. The investigation deliversan evaluation on how surface degradation, in both the pitting width w and pitting depth d ofthe contact, affects the electric properties. It can be seen that the electrical capacitance changeof different initial geometries has different gradients; both in terms of absolute pitting geometrieslike pitting width w and pitting depth d and relative compared to the reduced radius w/Rr.
A refined weakly-supervised semantic segmentation method on lung adenocarcinoma histopathology images
Authors: Lan Xiaobin , Mei Jiaming , Lin Ruohan , Chen Jiahao , Zhang Yanju
Published: March 2023

Automatic segmentation of tissues from histopathology images is of greatsignificance to reduce the annotation cost hence improve the efficiency of lungadenocarcinoma diagnosis. In the field of weakly supervised semanticsegmentation (WSSS), class activation mapping (CAM) is a widely usedtechnology that only uses image-level label to locate target objects. While themethod based on CAM can locate the target object precisely, it cannot fill theentire object. Therefore, In this paper, we propose a novel method of joint refinederasure attention module (REM) and class re-activation mapping (ReCAM) forimage-level semantic segmentation of histopathology images. Specifically, REMconsists of two components: channel attention and progressive erasure attention.Channel attention dynamically adjusts the weights of each channel based on theirrelevance and progressive erasure attention selectively removes the mostdiscriminative regions to encourage the model to explore more features. Thereason for this is to keep the recognition ability of each feature while expandingthe seed region. Moreover, due to the reason that different tissues may includesimilar features caused by aggressive nature of the malignancy, we employ thereactivation method to enhance the model’s discriminative power. This methodfine-tunes the model parameters by learning an additional fully connected layerwith softmax cross-entropy loss (SCE). We evaluate the proposed model on therecently released LUAD-HistoSeg dataset. The results illustrate that our modelachieved a 76.53% MIoU and outperforms state-of-the-art weakly-supervisedlearning methods.
Theoretical and Experimental Studies on the Influence of Lubricating Film on Dynamic Characteristics of Spindle Bearing
Authors: Yu Jie , Chen Shutong , Yuan Wei , Guo Qianjian , Chi Baotao
Published: March 2023

In this paper, an optimized bearing quasi-static model was established by coupling the influence factors of lubricating oil between ball and raceway, the interaction between cage and ball, and the fluid dynamic pressure distribution pressure of oil film between cage and guide ring with the consideration of the effects of cage and lubricating oil. Compared with Jone’s classical quasi-statics model simulation results and test results, the bearing mechanics model established in this paper is more accurate and feasible. On the basis of such model, the dynamic characteristic parameters of the oil film condition between ball and raceway and the force acting on cage, were analyzed for different working conditions. Results show that the oil film thickness of ball-raceway is more sensitive to the bearing rotating speed greater than the loads. With the increasing of the rotating speed, the normal loads between ball and cage will decrease and the force exerted by distribution pressure of fluid dynamic pressure on cage will increase. However, with the thrust load increasing, they tend to decrease gradually.
Complete degradation of di-n-butyl phthalate by Glutamicibacter sp. strain 0426 with a novel pathway
Authors: Ren Chongyang , Wang Yiying , Wu Yanan , Zhao He-Ping , Li Li
Published: March 2023

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is widely used as plasticizer that has potential carcinogenic, teratogenic, and endocrine effects. In the present study, an efficient DBP-degrading bacterial strain 0426 was isolated and identified as a Glutamicibacter sp. Strain 0426, which can utilize DBP as the sole source of carbon and energy and completely degraded 300 mg/L of DBP within 12 hours. The optimal conditions (pH 6.9 and 31.7°C) for DBP degradation were determined by response surface methodology and DBP degradation well fitted with the first-order kinetics. Bioaugmentation of contaminated soil with strain 0426 enhanced DBP (1 mg/g soil) degradation, indicating the application potential of strain 0426 for environment DBP removal. Strain 0426 harbors a distinctive DBP hydrolysis mechanism with two parallel benzoate metabolic pathways, which may account for the remarkable performance of DBP degradation. Sequences alignment has shown that an alpha/beta fold hydrolase (WP_083586847.1) contained a conserved catalytic triad and pentapeptide motif (GX1SX2G), of which function is similar to phthalic acid ester (PAEs) hydrolases and lipases that can efficiently catalyze hydrolysis of water-insoluble substrates. Furthermore, phthalic acid was converted to benzoate by decarboxylation, which entered into two different pathways: one is the protocatechuic acid pathway under the role of pca cluster, and the other is the catechol pathway. This study demonstrates a novel DBP degradation pathway, which broadens our understanding of the mechanisms of PAE biodegradation.
An optimized protocol for generating and monitoring conditional orthotopic lung cancer in the KP mouse model at BSL-1
Authors: Deng Haibin , Ge Huixiang , Dubey Christelle , Losmanova Tereza , Medova Michaela , Konstantinidou Georgia , Mutlu Seyran Mathilde , Birrer Fabienne Esther , Brodie Tess Melinda , Stroka Deborah , Wang Wenxiang , Peng Ren-Wang , Dorn Patrick , Marti Thomas Michael
Published: March 2023

Background
The inducible Kras/p53 lung adenocarcinoma mouse model, which faithfully recapitulates human disease, is routinely initiated by the intratracheal instillation of a virus-based Cre recombinase delivery system. Handling virus-based delivery systems requires elevated biosafety levels, e.g., biosafety level 2 (BSL-2). However, in experimental animal research facilities, following exposure to viral vectors in a BSL-2 environment, rodents may not be reclassified to BSL-1 according to standard practice, preventing access to small animal micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanners that are typically housed in general access areas such as BSL-1 rooms. Therefore, our goal was to adapt the protocol so that the Cre-induced KP mouse model could be handled under BSL-1 conditions during the entire procedure.
Results
The Kras-Lox-STOP-Lox-G12D/p53 flox/flox (KP)-based lung adenocarcinoma mouse model was activated by intratracheal instillation of either a virus-based Cre delivery system or a gutless, adeno-associated, Cre-expressing vector. Tumor growth was monitored over time by micro-CT. We have successfully substituted the virus-based Cre delivery system with a commercially available, gutless, adeno-associated, Cre-expressing vector that allows the KP mouse model to be handled and imaged in a BSL-1 facility. By optimizing the anesthesia protocol and switching to a microscope-guided vector instillation procedure, productivity was increased and procedure-related complications were significantly reduced. In addition, repeated micro-CT analysis of individual animals allowed us to monitor tumor growth longitudinally, dramatically reducing the number of animals required per experiment.
Conclusion
Modifications to the anesthesia and instillation protocols increased the productivity of the original KP protocol. In addition, the switch to a gutless, adeno-associated, Cre-expressing vector allowed longitudinal monitoring of tumor growth under BSL-1 conditions, significantly reducing the number of animals required for an experiment, in line with the 3R principles.
Identification and Characterisation of Phaseolus vulgaris endornavirus 1, 2 and 3 in Common Bean Cultivars of East Africa
Authors: Brine Thomas , Crawshaw Sam , Murphy Alex M. , Pate Adrienne E. , Carr John , Wamonje Francis O.
Published: March 2023

Persistent viruses include members of the family Endornavirus that cause no apparent disease and are transmitted exclusively via seed or pollen. It is speculated that these RNA viruses may be mutualists that enhance plant resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. Using reverse transcription coupled polymerase chain reactions, we investigated if common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties popular in east Africa were hosts for Phaseolus vulgaris endornavirus (PvEV) 1, 2 or 3. Out of 26 bean varieties examined, four were infected with PvEV1, three were infected with both PvEV1 and PvEV2 and three had infections of all three (PvEV) 1, 2 and 3. Notably, this was the first identification of PvEV3 in common bean from Africa. Using high throughput sequencing of two east African bean varieties (KK022 and KK072), we confirmed the presence of these viruses and generated their genomes. Intra- and inter-species sequence comparisons of these genomes with comparator sequences from GenBank revealed clear species demarcation. In addition, phylogenetic analyses based on sequences generated from the helicase domains showed that geographical distribution does not correlate to genetic relatedness or the occurrence of endornaviruses. These findings are an important first step toward future investigations to determine if these viruses engender positive effects in common bean, a vital crop in east Africa.
The incidence of positive bloodstream and urine cultures in five Australian hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mitchell Brett G , Stewardson Andrew J , Kerr Lucy , Ferguson John , Curtis Stephanie , Busija Lucy , Lydeamore Michael , Graham Kirsty , Russo Philip L
Published: March 2023

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare including increased awareness of infection prevention and control (IPC). The aim of this study was to explore if the heightened awareness of IPC measures implemented in response to the pandemic influenced the rates of healthcare associated infections (HAI) using positive bloodstream and urine cultures as a proxy measure.
Methods
A 3 year retrospective review of laboratory data from 5 hospitals (4 acute public, 1 private) from two states in Australia was undertaken. Monthly positive bloodstream culture data and urinary culture data were collected from January 2017 to March 2021. Occupied bed days (OBDs) were used to generate monthly HAI incidence per 10,000 OBDs. An interrupted time series analysis was undertaken to compare incidence pre and post February 2020 (the pre COVID-19 cohort and the COVID-19 cohort respectively). A HAI was assumed if positive cultures were obtained 48 hours after admission and met other criteria.
Results
A total of 1,988 bloodstream and 7,697 urine positive cultures were identified. The unadjusted incident rate was 25.5 /10,000 OBDs in the pre-COVID-19 cohort, and 25.1/10,000 OBDs in the COVID-19 cohort. The overall rate of HAI aggregated for all sites did not differ significantly between the two periods. The two hospitals in one state which experienced an earlier and larger outbreak demonstrated a significant downward trend in the COVID-19 cohort (p = 0.011).
Conclusion
These mixed findings reflect the uncertainty of the effect the pandemic has had on HAI’s. Factors to consider in this analysis include local epidemiology, differences between public and private sector facilities, changes in patient populations and profiles between hospitals, and timing of enhanced IPC interventions. Future studies which factor in these differences may provide further insight on the effect of COVID-19 on HAIs.
Biofacies analysis and depositional environments of Mid-Eocene Larger Benthic Foraminifera-rich deposits in Northern Tunisia
Authors: Chouat Sirine , Ayachi Mohamed Slim El , Boukhalfa Kamel , Alouani Rabeh , Boughdiri Mabrouk
Published: March 2023

In NW Tunisia, the lateral equivalents of the Mid-Eocene “Reineche Limestone” member of the Souar Formation (Bartonian) are still poorly known. Sedimentological investigations in the “Reineche Limestone” type locality in NE Tunisia; and three correlatives, first described here from NW Tunisia, allow the reconstruction of their depositional settings and to propose a regional geodynamic context. Fossil assemblages, rock texture and fabrics plead in favor of eight micro-biofacies (Mf1 to Mf8) indicating “shoal” inner ramp to outer ramp depositional settings. The Bartonian carbonates of NE Tunisia bear LBF-dominating assemblages and subsidiary planktic and small benthic foraminifera, gastropods, algae and echinids indicating a progressive marine ramp context under oligotrophic conditions. However, correlative successions from NW Tunisia are represented by relatively thinner carbonate intervals including two main facies: 1) bioclastic limestone facies and 2) phosphorite-rich carbonates. The first is dominated by LBF assemblages suggesting the same depositional conditions as the “Reineche limestone”. However, phosphorite-rich carbonate facies is mainly characterized by peloids, bone fragments and lithoclast components with subsidiary nummulitids, planktic and small benthic foraminifers, echinids, oyster shells, brachiopod fragments and fine siliciclastic components, all suggesting oxic-suboxic to anoxic conditions for phosphorite genesis. This would have implied microbial decomposition of organic compounds and/or bacterial reduction of sulfate in shallow marine environment. These phosphorite-rich carbonate of northwestern Tunisia may serve as an example of phosphatic sediment production and accumulation during the latest episode of the Paleogene phosphatogenesis first described here from the south-Tethyan margin of Tunisia.
Current research status and frontiers of Artificial Intelligence in Stomatology: A Bibliometric Analysis (2010-2022)
Authors: Liu Shuangwei , Chen Jiaqi , Wang Jiuheng , Zhang Zhichang , Feng Haiwen , Yi Zhe
Published: March 2023

Objective: In medicine, artificial intelligence (AI)-based research is growing rapidly and has become a research hotspot in Stomatology. Using bibliometric analyses, we reviewed the literature on AI in Stomatology (AIIS) between 2010 and 2022 to identify frontiers and research hotspots in this field.
Methods: On the 7th January 2023, we retrieved 1121 studies, published between 2010 and 2022, from the Web of Science Core Collection. We conducted bibliometric analyses using CiteSpace, VOSview, R package bibliometrix, and Microsoft Office Excel.
Results: We identified 1008 AIIS articles and 113 reviews published between 2010 and 2022. Publications increased rapidly from 2018; China had the most publications, but the USA had the highest H-index. Yonsei and Seoul National Universities were the most productive institutes, and Scientific Reports was the main AIIS publication journal. Reference clusters were classified into six headings: panoramic radiograph, cephalometric landmark detection, deep convolutional neural network (DCNN)-based automated segmentation, caries detection, oral cancer (OC), and automatic classification. Research hotspots and frontiers were represented by dental caries (2020–2022), dental implants (2020–2022), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) (2020–2022), and computed tomography (CT) (2019–2021).
Conclusions: We objectively summarized the AIIS literature in this bibliometric analysis. According to our analysis, the number of publications related to AIIS began to increase significantly from 2018, and additionally, the current frontiers and research hotspots were identified.
Clinical relevance: This bibliometric analysis provided an overview of Artificial Intelligence in Stomatology. Study knowledge and information, especially hotspots and frontiers, will help scientists studying AIIS lay the foundations for future research.
Controls on the elemental variations of lake sediments ： a case as Guozha Co, Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Minghui , Zhu Liping , Wang Junbo , Ju Jianting , Wang Xiaoxiao , Liu Chong , Ma Qingfeng , Xu Teng , Qiao Baojin
Published: March 2023

Elements in lake sediments and lake water were commonly used in the reconstruction for the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate, and also enriched into mineral deposit, such as lithium deposit. However, previous studies seldom distinguish the elements in pore water and minerals, and also seldom considered the early diagenesis and how the elements of different properties migrated and enriched during the drying climate. This study investigated the major and trace elements of the porewater, and the carbonate and silicate minerals in a 407-cm-long core from Guozha Co, a brackish lake on the northwestern Tibetan Plateau. Our results indicated that (a) the Ca and Sr were predominantly present in carbonate minerals, while the Na, K, Mg, Li, were primarily preserved in silicate minerals. (b) the elements of porewater were closed with those of silicate minerals; (c) the Nawater, Naacid, Liwater, and Liacid were more sensitive to the drying climate than the others; (d) As the molar ratios of Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca Li/Ca were different in porewater, carbonate minerals and silicate minerals, it should be careful to use the geochemical compositions of bulk sediments to discuss the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate; (e) Mgwater/Liwater were much lower than those of Mgacid/Liacid and Mgresidue/Liresidue. Low temperature favors the movement of Li in aqueous solution and carbonate minerals. This is useful for the lithium extraction from brines.
Parametric rational cubic approximation scheme for circular arcs
Authors: Shakeel Ayesha , Hussain Maria , HUSSAIN MALIK ZAWWAR
Published: March 2023

The research paper presents a numerical method for the 𝐺2- approximation of circular arcs. The developed technique is worked on a quarter circle and the complete circle is formed using affine transformation. The optimal value of the free parameters is searched for by reducing the approximation error to its minimum. Approximation order of the proposed scheme varies from 𝑂(𝛾2) to 𝑂(𝛾4), depending on the choice of free parameters. The proposed approximation scheme has an improved level of accuracy than the prevailing schemes.
An Improved Phase Gradient Autofocus Algorithm For ISAR Phase Autofocus Problem
Authors: Fu Weihong , Li Haoyi
Published: March 2023

The Phase Gradient Autofocus Algorithm (PGA) is widely used in radar imaging due to its ability to achieve high accuracy estimation of phase error of arbitrary orders. However, in inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging, the target usually occupies continuous range bins and there may be multiple stronger scatters in a range bin. In this case, the range bins selection method of the conventional algorithm tends to miss a part of the useful data contained in the target, and its windowing method also tends to cause the loss of useful high-frequency components in the range bins. Aiming at the above problems, an improved PGA algorithm is proposed in this paper. It uses an amplitude-based traversal method and Kaiser window to retain the valid echo data in the target and range bins, and eventually to achieve phase autofocus. Simulation results show that the improved method can obtain more stable and evident focusing results for ISAR target faster than the conventional method.
Determination of Trimetazidine in Urine by Capillary Electrophoresis with Amperometric Detection
Authors: Baroch Martin , Dejmkova Hana , Matysik Frank Michael
Published: March 2023

In this contribution nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis with end-column amperometric detection using a platinum ultramicroelectrode is presented along with several extraction procedures, both liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE), for extracting Trimetazidine (TMZ) from urine. Trimetazidine is an anti-ischemic drug, which changes hearth metabolism pathways and is being abused as a doping. Electrochemical detection in a non-aqueous environment provided a stable response with a relative standard deviation of only 3.6% (n = 10) in repeatability measurement at concentration of 50 µg dm-3. LOD and LOQ of the proposed method were determined as 0.054 µg dm-3 and 0.180 µg dm-3, respectively. From the point of view of LLE, the most efficient procedure was the double extraction with ethyl acetate as an extraction agent in combination with prior alkalinization of the sample by Na2CO3. Nevertheless, the extraction efficiency was only around 68%. The most efficient SPE procedure was based on the combination of HLB cartridge and elution with background electrolyte containing 20% of methanol. Its recovery reached up to 92% and 101% in case of 50 µg dm-3 and 5.0 µg dm-3 of TMZ in urine, respectively.
The performance of composite beams with X-HVB shear connectors after being subjected to fire exposure
Authors: Hamad Mays A. , Muteb Haitham H. , Salah Mustafa S.
Published: March 2023

Composite construction has emerged as a highly effective methodology for construction in recent decades, typically involving hot-rolled steel beams, profiled seel decks, welded bolts, and an in-situ concrete slab reinforced with a steel mesh. This construction method offers numerous benefits, including damage resistance, good service response, and low cost. The advantages can be further enhanced through the use of X-HVB shear connectors instead of traditional weld-on bolts. X-HVB connectors offer two additional benefits: they can be used in cold rolled profiles, wet sections or rehabilitation elements, and their installation is simple and safe. The connectors are made of cold-rolled steel and come in a range of nominal heights from 40 to 140 mm. However, little previous research has focused on how the X-HVB connectors behave and affect composite beams during a fire. To investigate this, an experimental study was conducted that focused on the effect of fire exposure, the orientation of the corrugated steel plate to the steel beam, and the side of exposure to fire (from the concrete slab or steel beam). Six composite beam specimens were prepared to investigate shear strength, stiffness, and ductility, with load-deflection results obtained from the experimental work validated with proposed Digital Image Correlation (DIC) based technique results. The experimental results indicate that the capacity, stiffness and ductility of composite beams decreased upon exposure to firing, especially for those with transverse corrugated steel plates. The direction of fire exposure also had a significant impact. The DIC technique results aligned well with the test results.
Effects of Momordica balsamina on markers associated with renal dysfunction in a diet-induced prediabetic rat model
Authors: Khumalo Bongiwe , Siboto Angezwa , Akinnuga Akinjide Moses , Sibiya Ntethelelo , Khathi Andile , Ngubane Phikelelani Siphosethu
Published: March 2023

Introduction
Prediabetes is an intermediate state of progression from normoglycemia to overt type 2 diabetes. Literature suggests that managing prediabetes is beneficial in delaying the onset of diabetes. Previous studies have shown that Momordica balsamina (MB) possesses anti-hyperglycaemic effects; hence in this study, its effect on renal function in diet-induced pre-diabetes was explored.
Methodology
Male Sprague-Dawley rats (130-180 g) were divided into six groups of six rats per group; Normal control, Prediabetic (PD), Metformin (500 mg/kg, p.o.) treated PD without dietary intervention (DI), MB (250 mg/kg, p.o.) treated PD without DI, Metformin treated PD with DI and MB treated PD with DI. The animals were treated for 12 weeks of the last 32 weeks where fluid intake and urinary output was measured. After 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed, plasma, urine, and kidney samples were collected for biochemical analysis.
Results
The untreated prediabetic (PD) rats presented with increased fluid intake and urine output; increased creatinine, urea, and uric acid plasma concentrations; sodium retention; potassium loss; increased aldosterone and kidney injury molecule (KIM-1) concentration; and increased urinary podocin mRNA concentration. However, MB administration attenuated the renal markers and oxidative stress and decreased the urinary podocin mRNA expression with or without diet intervention.
Conclusion
MB administration, regardless of diet modification, attenuates renal dysfunction in an experimentally induced prediabetic state. This suggests that MB has beneficial properties in the management of pre-diabetes associated kidney dysfunction.
Sentiment Analysis based on Performance of Linear Support Vector Machine and Multinomial Na¨ıveNa¨ıve Bayes using Movie Reviews with Baseline Techniques
Authors: Daniyal Mian Muhammad , Khan Sarwar Shah , Khan Muzammil , ghaffer Muhammad Bilal , Khan Bilal , Arshad Muhammad
Published: March 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Quantifying met and unmet health needs for HIV, hypertension and diabetes in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Singh Urisha , Olivier Stephen , Cuadros Diego , Castle Alison , Moosa Yumna , Edwards Jonathan Alex , Kim Hae-Young , Siedner Mark J , Tanser Frank , Wong Emily B
Published: March 2023

The convergence of infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Africa poses a challenge to health systems. Here we establish a framework to quantify met and unmet health needs for individuals living with infectious and NCDs. In this study, we screened adult residents >15 years of age within the uMkhanyakude district in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa for HIV, hypertension (HPTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM). For each condition, individuals were defined as having no unmet health needs (absence of condition), met health need (condition that is well controlled), or one or more unmet health needs (including diagnosis, engagement in care, or treatment optimization). We analyzed met and unmet health needs for individual and combined conditions and investigated their geospatial distribution. We found that of 18,041 participants, 9,898 (55%) had at least one chronic condition. 4,942 (50%) of these individuals had at least one unmet health need (18% needed treatment optimization, 13% needed engagement in care, and 19% needed diagnosis). Unmet health needs varied by disease: 93% of people with DM, 58% of people with HPTN and 21% of people with HIV had unmet health needs. Geospatially, met health needs for HIV were widely distributed, unmet health needs had specific sites of concentration whilst the need for diagnosis for all three conditions was co-located. Whilst people living with HIV are predominantly well-controlled, there is a high burden of unmet health needs for people living with HPTN and DM. Adaptation of HIV models of care to integrate HIV and NCD services is of high priority.
Preparation of magnetized carrageenan-metformin as a new bio-inspired heterogeneous nanocatalyst for the synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3- c]pyrazoles
Authors: Heydari Forouzan , Bakhtiarian Mohsen , Khodaei Mohammad Mehdi
Published: March 2023

Due to environmental concerns, there is a growing interest in the eco-friendly and reusable nanocatalysts. However, preparing a benign and reusable nanomaterial with high catalytic activity is an issue of challenge. A good strategy is the modification of polysaccharides with catalytically active species followed by magnetization. Therefore, we introduced a kappa-carrageenan (Carr) based nanocatalyst modified by metformin (Met) coated on Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MNPs). After thorough physicochemical characterization, the as-synthesized Carr-Met-MNPs nanocomposites demonstrated a high activity as a multifunctional nanomaterial for the four-component domino synthesis of dihydropyrano [2, 3-c] pyrazole derivatives via condensation of hydrazine hydrate, ethyl acetoacetate, malononitrile, and aromatic aldehydes. The synergistic effect of sulfonic acid and amino groups can justify the high performance of Carr-Met-MNPs nanocomposites. These nanocomposites with properties including benign solvent system, improved activity, and easy recoverability (up to 5 runs) can be quite comparable to other heterogeneous and homogeneous catalyst systems. The heterogeneity of Carr-Met-MNPs nanocomposites was also appraised by a hot filtration test under optimum reaction conditions.
Effect of Plasticizer and Compatibilizer on Properties of Polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) with Acetylated Starch
Authors: Perumal Niresha , Sreekan Srimala , Hamid Zuratul Ain Abdul , Rusli Arjulizan , Bhubalan Kesaven , Appaturi Jimmy Nelson
Published: March 2023

Immiscible and incompatibility between the hydrophilic fiber phase and hydrophobic matrix phase results in a poor stress transfer between the two phases and deterioration in mechanical, physical, and barrier properties. Therefore, this study aims to enhance the compatibility of hydrophobic polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) and hydrophilic corn starch (CS) by substituting native corn starch with acetylated corn starch. The acetylation treatment was used to increase the hydrophobicity of CS. The native corn starch was used as a reference to study the effect of acetylation. Challenges in incorporating a high amount of hydrophilic natural filler into hydrophobic PBAT were overcome by adding plasticizer; glycerol and compatibilizers; maleic anhydride (MAH) and Dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The composite films were characterized by tensile properties, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), contact angle (CA) measurement, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphology of the composites was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The tensile properties of PBAT/ACS were improved by adding a compatibilizer. Meanwhile, adding plasticizer tends to improve the tensile properties of PBAT/CS. PBAT/ACS/MAH composite possessed a tensile strength of 15.47 MPa, modulus of 95.30 MPa, and strain at break of 170.81%, while PBAT/CS/30S composite possessed tensile strength of 8.59 MPa, modulus of 104.60 MPa and strain at break of 1037.91% which have potential use in packaging applications.
Schizophrenia Patients’ Perceptions of Belongingness and Expectations from Society
Authors: UZUN SEVDA , ASLAN ÇİMEN
Published: March 2023

Background: The study aimed to deeply examine the perception of belongingness and expectations from society in individuals with schizophrenia.
Methods: Phenomenological research design, a qualitative research design, was used in this study. This qualitative research was conducted with 14 individuals with schizophrenia. Interviews were conducted individually and face-to-face using semi-structured forms. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis method. The diagnosis of schizophrenia causes many adverse effects like low self-esteem, depression, and collapse in individuals with schizophrenia, and they expect psychological support, prevention of stigmatization, job support, social support, and help for a sense of belongingness from society.
Results: Three main themes and thirteen sub-themes emerged from the analysis of the data. The main themes are “emotions”, “psychosocial problems”, and “expectations and needs”. Individuals with schizophrenia experience feelings of hopelessness, sadness, loneliness, loss/incompleteness/not feeling of belongingness.
Conclusion: The study revealed that individuals with schizophrenia feel that they lack a sense of belongingness and want to live as a part of society and that stigmatization should be prevented.
The burden of attempted hanging and drowning presenting to hospitals in Ireland between 2007 and 2019: a national registry-based study
Authors: White Philippa , Corcoran Paul , Griffin Eve , Arensman Ella , Barrett Peter
Published: March 2023

Purpose
To measure the impact of hospital-treated self-harm by hanging and drowning in Ireland in 2007–2019 and identify risk factors for these methods of self-harm.
Method
Data on all self-harm presentations to Irish hospitals between 2007 and 2019 were obtained from the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland, a national self-harm surveillance system. Multinomial regression was used to explore factors associated with attempted hanging and drowning.
Results
The age-standardised incidence rate of attempted hanging and drowning increased by 126% and 45% respectively between 2007 and 2019. The incidence of both methods was highest among young people aged 15–24 years. The odds of presenting to hospital for attempted hanging were highest in males (aOR 2.85, 95% CI 2.72–3.00), people experiencing homelessness (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.16–1.49) and individuals living in the capital, Dublin (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.17–1.29). The odds of presenting for attempted drowning were highest in males (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.58–1.78) and people experiencing homelessness (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 2.41–2.99).
Conclusion
The incidence of hospital-treated self-harm by hanging and drowning is increasing in Ireland and is highest among adolescents and young adults. Males and people experiencing homelessness may be at highest risk and warrant targeted preventive interventions.
A framework to support the identification of critical habitat for wide-ranging species at risk under climate change
Authors: Leston Lionel , Dénes Francisco V. , Docherty Teegan D.S. , Tremblay Junior A. , Boulanger Yan , Wilgenburg Steven L. Van , Stralberg Diana , Sólymos Peter , Haché Samuel , Laurent Kathy St. , Weeber Russ , Drolet Bruno , Westwood Alana R. , Hope David D. , Ball Jeff , Song Samantha J. , Cumming Steven G. , Bayne Erin , Schmiegelow Fiona K. A.
Published: March 2023

To recover species at risk, it is necessary to identify habitat critical to their recovery. Challenges for species with large ranges (thousands of square kilometres) include delineating management unit boundaries within which habitat use differs from other units, along with assessing amounts of and threats to habitat over time. We developed a reproducible framework to support the identification of critical habitat for wide-ranging species at risk. The framework (i) reviews species distribution and life history; (ii) delineates management units across the range; (iii) evaluates and compares current and (iv) potential future habitat and population size; and (v) prioritizes areas within management units based on current and future conditions under various scenarios of climate change and land-use. We used Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) and Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) in Canada as case studies. Using geographically weighted regression models and cluster analysis to measure spatial variation in model coefficients, we found geographic differences in habitat association only for Canada Warbler. Using other models to predict current habitat amount for each species in different management units, then future habitat amount under land use and climate change, we projected that: 1) Canada Warbler populations would decrease in Alberta but increase in Nova Scotia; and 2) Wood Thrush populations would increase under most scenarios run in Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, except in Ontario. By comparing results from future scenarios and spatial prioritization exercises, our framework can be used to support identification of critical habitat in a way that incorporates climate and land-use projections.