bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revolutionizing Predictive Maintenance: AI-Driven Wear Life Prediction for Al-SiC-Zinc Stearate Pre-Forms
Authors: Kumaravel Arul Raj , Dheenadhayalan Narmatha , Singh Anix Joel , perumal SundarVettumPerumal , Arunachalam Oviya
Published: October 2023

In this research, investigations were made on abrasive wear characteristics of Al-SiC- C36H70O4Zn (zinc Stearate) powder pre-forms. Al-SiC- Zinc Stearate powder pre-forms of one composition were tested, considering compacting pressure and sintering temperature. At room temperature, the wear tests were carried out in a purpose built pin-on-disc apparatus in opposition to abrasive silicon carbide paper under multi-pass conditions. Abrasive wear studies were performed under several operating conditions which includes varied applied load (0.5 kg to 3 kg), constant sliding velocity (300 rpm), constant time in seconds (180 seconds) and varied abrasive grit sizes (1/0, 2/0, 3/0 & 4/0). The weight loss indicates the wear. The test results are obtained in terms of weight loss, wear rate and specific wear rate. The relationships between weight loss and load applied with varied abrasive grit size, applied load and specific wear rate, applied and wear rate with grit size of abrasive paper 3/0 were established in the form of tribo graphs. The experimental data were trained and tested using an artificial neural network model. The result displays the actual data and predicted data relation with the correlation coefficient and mean square error value as 0.99951 and 0.0063107 respectively.
Phenotypic and Metabolomic Characteristics of Mouse Models of Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis
Authors: Yang Cian-Ru , Lin Wen-Jen , Shen Pei-Chun , Liao Pei-Yin , Dai Yuan-Chang , Hung Yao-Ching , Lai Hsueh‐Chou , Mehmood Shiraz , Cheng Wei-Chung , Ma Wen-Lung
Published: October 2023

Background Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is metabolic disease that may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Mouse models of diet-induced NASH, which is characterized by the high levels of fats, sugars, and cholesterol in diets, are commonly used in research. However, mouse models accurately reflecting the progression of NASH in humans remain to be established. Studies have explored the potential use of serological metabolites as biomarkers of NASH severity in relation to human NASH. Methods We performed a comparative analysis of three mouse models of diet-induced NASH in terms of phenotypic and metabolomic characteristics; NASH was induced using different diets: a high-fat diet; a Western diet; and a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed using standard clinical approaches (e.g., METAVIR score, hyaluronan level, and collagen deposition level). Mouse serum samples were subjected to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy–based metabolomic profiling followed by bioinformatic analyses. Metabolomic analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was performed; the corresponding cirrhosis scores were also evaluated. Results Using clinically relevant quantitative diagnostic methods, the severity of NASH was evaluated. Regarding metabolomics, the number of lipoprotein metabolites increased with both diet and NASH progression. Notably, the levels of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly increased with fibrosis progression. During the development of diet-induced NASH in mice, the strongest upregulation of expression was noted for VLDL receptor. Metabolomic analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients with cirrhosis indicated lipoproteins (e.g., VLDL and LDL) as predominant biomarkers of cirrhosis. Conclusions Our findings provide insight into the pathophysiology and metabolomics of experimental NASH and its relevance to human NASH. The observed upregulation of lipoprotein expression reveals a feedforward mechanism for NASH development that may be targeted for the development of noninvasive theranostics.
WTAP-mediated m 6 A modification of circSMOC1 accelerates the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating miR-612/CCL28 axis
Authors: Zhu Xun-Xia , Chen Xiao-Yu , Zhao Li-Ting , Zhang Xue-Lin , Li Yi-Ou , Shen Xiao-Yong
Published: October 2023

Background:Accumulating evidence reveals that deregulated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are required for the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to uncover the role and underlying mechanism by which WTAP-mediated m6A modification of circRNA contributes to NSCLC.Methods:The differentially-expressed circRNAs were identified by a circRNA profiling microarray. The association of circSMOC1 with clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with NSCLC was estimated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). WTAP-mediated m6A modification of circRNA was validated by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (Me-RIP) and RIP assays. The role of circSMOC1 in NSCLC was estimated byin vitrofunctional experiments andin vivotumorigenesis models. CircSMOC1-specific binding with miR-612 was verified by RIP, luciferase gene report and RT-qPCR assays. The effect of circSMOC1 and (or) miR-612 on CCL28 expression was detected by Western blotting analysis.Results:We found that the expression levels of circSMOC1 were elevated in NSCLC and associated with TNM stage and poor survival. Knockdown of circSMOC1 impaired the tumorigenesis of NSCLCin vitroandin vivo, whereas restored expression of circSMOC1 displayed the opposite effect. Furthermore, WTAP was upregulated in NSCLC and mediated m6A modification of circSMOC1; Knockdown of WTAP repressed cell growth and invasion and abolished circSMOC1-caused tumor-promoting effects. Then, circSMOC1 acted as a sponge of miR-612 to upregulate CCL28, and miR-612 inhibitor abrogated circSMOC1 knockdown-caused anti-proliferation effects and CCL28 downregulation in NSCLC cells.Conclusion:Our findings unveil that WTAP-mediated m6A modification of circSMOC1 accelerates the tumorigenesis of NSCLC by regulating miR-612/CCL28 axis.
Ingestion of fungicides reduces net energy gain and microbiome diversity of the solitary mason bee
Authors: Porras Mitzy F. , Raygoza-Garay Juan Antonio , Brought Malachi , Chauta Alexander , Lopez–Londoño Tomas , Crone Makaylee , Rajotte Edwin , Peter Keri , Biddinger David
Published: October 2023

Fungicides are frequently used during tree fruit bloom and can threaten insect pollinators. However, little is known about how non-honey bee pollinators such as the solitary bee, Osmia cornifrons, respond to contact and systemic fungicides commonly used in apple production during bloom. This knowledge gap limits regulatory decisions on determining safe concentrations and timing for fungicide spraying. We evaluated the effects of two contact fungicides (captan and mancozeb) and four translaminar/plant systemic fungicides (cyprodinil, myclobutanil, penthiopyrad, and trifloxystrobin) on larval weight gain, survival, sex ratio, and bacterial diversity. This assessment was carried out through chronic oral ingestion bioassays where pollen provisions were treated with three dosages based on the currently recommended field use dose (1X), half dose (0.5X), and low dose (0.1X). We found that mancozeb and penthiopyrad significantly reduced larval weight and survival at all doses. We then sequenced the 16S gene to characterize the larvae bacteriome of mancozeb, the fungicide that caused the highest mortality. We found that larvae fed on mancozeb-treated pollen carried significantly lower bacterial diversity and abundance. Our laboratory results suggest that some of these fungicides can be particularly harmful to the health of O. cornifrons when sprayed during bloom. This information is relevant for future management decisions about the sustainable use of fruit tree crop protection products and informing regulatory processes that aim to protect pollinators.
Four-color ImmunoSpot® assays requiring only 1-3 mL of blood permit precise frequency measurements of antigen-specific B cells secreting immunoglobulins of all four classes and subclasses
Authors: Kirchenbaum Greg A. , Yao Lingling , Becza Noémi , Maul-Pavicic Andrea , Chekpe Jack , Lehmann Paul V.
Published: October 2023

The B lymphocyte response can encompass four immunoglobulin (Ig) classes and four IgG subclasses, each contributing fundamentally different effector functions. Production of the appropriate Ig class/subclass is critical for both successful host defense and avoidance of immunopathology. The assessment of an antigen-specific B cell response, including its magnitude and Ig class/subclass composition, is most often confined to the antibodies present in serum and other biological fluids, and neglects the monitoring of the memory B cell (Bmem) compartment capable of mounting a faster and more efficient antibody response following antigen reencounter. Here, we describe how the frequency and Ig class and IgG subclass use of an antigen-specific Bmem repertoire can be determined with relatively little labor and cost, requiring only 8 x 105 freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), or if additional cryopreservation and polyclonal stimulation is necessary, 3 million PBMC per antigen. To experimentally validate such cell-saving assays, we have documented that frequency measurements of antibody-secreting cells (ASC) yield results indistinguishable from those of enzymatic (ELISPOT) or fluorescent (FluoroSpot) versions of the ImmunoSpot® assay, including when the latter are detected in alternative fluorescent channels. Moreover, we have shown that frequency calculations that are based on linear regression analysis of serial PBMC dilutions using a single well per dilation step are as accurate as those performed using replicate wells. Collectively, our data highlight the capacity of multiplexed B cell FluoroSpot assays in conjunction with serial dilutions to significantly reduce the PBMC requirement for detailed assessment of antigen-specific B cells. The protocols presented here allow GLP-compliant high-throughput measurements which should help to introduce high-dimensional Bmem characterization into the standard immune monitoring repertoire.
Modeling of Transportation Process in a Technological Complex of Beet Harvesting Machines
Authors: Volokha Mykola , Rogovskii Ivan , Fryshev Serhiy , Sobczuk Henryk , Virchenko Gennadii , Yablonskyi Petro
Published: October 2023

Based on a critical review of known research and developments in recent years, the article presents a methodology for analyzing the capacity of the sugar beet sweeping-transport complex. The research aims to find rational use of machinery resources in the technological complex. A reloading method of transportation of root crops was considered. Its peculiarity was flexibility, adaptability to weather, and climatic and economic conditions during the gathering of sugar beet. Under favorable weather conditions and the availability of a sufficient number of vehicles, dug roots, removed from the combine from the field by a tractor semi-trailer, were reloaded into the heavy trucks. They were on the road from the edge of the field and transported to the plant. In case of changing conditions (in rainy weather, when the soil was too wet, or when there were not enough vehicles), a cleaner loader was added to the machines complex. After, the production process was carried out in a transshipment or flow-transshipment way. Beet harvesting and transportation of root crops were considered as work of the technological chain, which consists of three links: “field – beet harvester”, “beet harvester – tractor semi-trailer”, and “tractor semi-trailer – vehicle”. The basic steps of the capacity analysis allowed for determining the capacity of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd links, their comparison, and subsequent analysis and selecting rational options to overcome the possible difference between their values.
Technological and Environmental Problems in the Stabilization Treatment of the Main Condenser Cooling Circuit by Sulfuric Acid
Authors: Kuznietsov Pavlo , Biedunkova Olha
Published: October 2023

The method of anti-scale stabilization treatment of cooling water of the circulating cooling system (CCS) with sulphuric acid to reduce the content of bicarbonate and carbonate ions allows to effectively reduce scale formation processes in power plant’s cooling systems. The results of the research and analysis of the sulphuric acid dosage to ensure the water-chemical regime of the reversible cooling system are presented in the example of the Rivne NPP. The analysis of the results of the control of the technology of stabilization treatment of cooling water with sulphuric acid was carried out, as the influence of the technological changes on the content of sulfate ions in the discharge water and the influence of the water discharge into a water body were evaluated. The sulphuric acid stabilization treatment makes it possible to neutralize the alkalinity caused by the content of bicarbonate and carbonate ions and to convert the proportion of calcium ions bound to bicarbonate and carbonate ions into a permanent hardness that is not prone to scale formation under the influence of temperature and has a lower tendency to scale formation. The use of sulphuric acid may be suitable for the optimal choice of water chemistry regime for scale reduction in CCS, according to the criteria of acidification of additional cooling water, which is the dosing criterion. The technological regimes for CCS stabilization treatment with sulphuric acid introduced at the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) ensured a decrease in the use of sulphuric acid and a decrease in discharges into the water body by an average of 220 t/year, a decrease in the increase in the content of sulfate ions before the water intake and after the water discharge of the Rivne NPP, which correlates with a decrease in the amount of sulphuric acid used for CCS water treatment and a decrease in the environmental impact on the water bodies of the Styr River.
MadNIS - Neural multi-channel importance sampling
Authors: Heimel Theo , Winterhalder Ramon , Butter Anja , Isaacson Joshua , Krause Claudius , Maltoni Fabio , Mattelaer Olivier , Plehn Tilman
Published: October 2023

Theory predictions for the LHC require precise numerical phase-space integration and generation of unweighted events. We combine machine-learned multi-channel weights with a normalizing flow for importance sampling, to improve classical methods for numerical integration. We develop an efficient bi-directional setup based on an invertible network, combining online and buffered training for potentially expensive integrands. We illustrate our method for the Drell-Yan process with an additional narrow resonance.
Towards the one loop IR/UV dictionary in the SMEFT: One loop generated operators from new scalars and fermions
Authors: Guedes Guilherme , Olgoso Pablo , Santiago José
Published: October 2023

Effective field theories offer a rationale to classify new physics models based on the size of their contribution to the effective Lagrangian, and therefore to experimental observables. A complete classification can be obtained, at a fixed order in perturbation theory, in the form of IR/UV dictionaries. We report on the first step towards the calculation of the one loop, dimension 6 IR/UV dictionary in the SMEFT. We consider dimension-six operators in the SMEFT that cannot be generated at tree level in weakly coupled extensions of the Standard Model. This includes operators with three gauge field strength tensors, operators with two field strength tensors and two scalar fields and dipole operators. We provide a complete classification of renormalizable extensions of the Standard Model with new scalar and fermion fields that contribute to these operators at one loop order, together with their explicit contribution. Our results are encoded in a Mathematica package called SOLD (SMEFT One Loop Dictionary), which includes further functionalities to facilitate the calculation of the complete tree level and one loop matching of any relevant model via an automated interface to matchmakereft. All operators in our list are indeed generated at the one loop order in the extensions considered with the exception of CP-violating ones with three field-strength tensors.
External public debt management during the wartime: Case of Ukraine
Authors: Razinkova Мila , Zhuravka Fedir , Nebaba Natalia , Botvinov Rostislav , Voytov Serhiy
Published: October 2023

Public debt plays a crucial role in the economic development of many countries, the effective management and servicing of the external public debt have become a priority in the financial and economic policy of the state, ensuring the stability of its development. The article aims to develop Ukraine’s external public debt management system during the wartime. As a result of the analysis, the key negative consequences of the impact of external debt growth on Ukraine`s economic security were determined, i.e. economic growth slowdown, increased dependence on creditors, increased costs of the public debt servicing, significant reduction in domestic consumption, etc. The developed external public debt management system in the framework of state economic and financial security includes relevant subsystems, principles, functions, objects and subjects, methods. It was substantiated that the appropriate external public debt management system during wartime in Ukraine requires the following additional subsystems: subsystem of crisis planning and response, subsystem of external debt settlement and subsystem for ensuring international cooperation.
Research on road damage recognition and classification based on improved VGG-19
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Wang Kaihang , Li Kexin
Published: October 2023

In recent years, methods of road damage detection, recognition and classification have achieved remarkable results, but there are still problems of efficient and accurate damage detection, recognition and classification. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a road damage VGG-19 model construction method that can be used for road damage detection. The road damage image is processed by digital image processing technology (DIP), and then combined with the improved VGG-19 network model to study the method of improving the recognition speed and accuracy of VGG-19 road damage model. Based on the performance evaluation index of neural network model, the feasibility of the improved VGG-19 method is verified. The results show that compared with the traditional VGG-19 model, the road damage VGG-19 road damage recognition model proposed in this paper shortens the training time by 79 % and the average test time by 68 %. In the performance evaluation of the neural network model, the comprehensive performance index is improved by 2.4 % compared with the traditional VGG-19 network model. The research is helpful to improve the model performance of VGG-19 road damage identification network model and its fit to road damages.
Representaciones de guerreros y armas en la iconografía de la orfebrería muisca
Authors: López-Barrera Diego , Barragán-Lara Manuel Alejandro , Gutiérrez-Vizcaya Cristian Camilo , Figueroa-Pedreros Erika Constanza
Published: October 2023

La enseñanza de la historia militar en Colombia se ha enfocado en demostrar la importancia del estudio de los hechos de armas desde el siglo XIX hasta el presente, en especial, el periodo de independencia y el conflicto armado, dejando de lado procesos históricos de gran impacto como las guerras y las batallas entre indígenas y españoles. El presente artículo busca analizar las representaciones de guerreros y armas en la iconografía orfebre de los muiscas del siglo XVI, a partir del análisis de fuentes históricas como las piezas de colección de museos y las versiones de los cronistas que visitaron estos territorios durante el periodo de contacto. Como resultado, el cruce de información demostró la existencia de guerreros muiscas, con sus armas y elementos ceremoniales, configurando un escenario de guerra.
Pretreatment HIV Drug Resistance and the Molecular Transmission Network Among HIV-Positive Individuals in China in 2022: Multicenter Observational Study
Authors: Chen Hongli , Hao Jingjing , Hu Jing , Song Chang , Zhou Yesheng , Li Miaomiao , Chen Jin , Liu Xiu , Wang Dong , Xu Xiaoshan , Xin Peixian , Zhang Jiaxin , Liao Lingjie , Feng Yi , Li Dan , Pan Stephen W , Shao Yiming , Ruan Yuhua , Xing Hui
Published: October 2023

Background

Emerging HIV drug resistance caused by increased usage of antiretroviral drugs (ARV) could jeopardize the success of standardized HIV management protocols in resource-limited settings.

Objective

We aimed to characterize pretreatment HIV drug resistance (PDR) among HIV-positive individuals and risk factors in China in 2022.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted using 2-stage systematic sampling according to the World Health Organization’s surveillance guidelines in 8 provincial-level administrative divisions in 2022. Demographic information and plasma samples were obtained from study participants. PDR was analyzed using the Stanford HIV drug resistance database, and the Tamura-Nei 93 model in HIV-TRACE was used to calculate pairwise matches with a genetic distance of 0.01 substitutions per site. Logistic regression was used to identify and estimate factors associated with PDR.

Results

PDR testing was conducted on 2568 participants in 2022. Of the participants, 34.8% (n=893) were aged 30-49 years, 81.4% (n=2091) were male, and 3.2% (n=81) had prior ARV exposure. The prevalence of PDR to protease and reverse transcriptase regions, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and protease inhibitors were 7.4% (n=190), 6.3% (n=163), 1.2% (n=32), and 0.2% (n=5), respectively. Yunnan, Jilin, and Zhejiang had much higher PDR incidence than did Sichuan. The prevalence of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor–related drug resistance was 6.1% (n=157) for efavirenz and 6.3% (n=163) for nevirapine. Multivariable logistic regression models indicated that participants who had prior ARV exposure (odds ratio [OR] 7.45, 95% CI 4.50-12.34) and the CRF55_01B HIV subtype (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.41-4.83) were significantly associated with PDR. Among 618 (24.2%) sequences (nodes) associated with 253 molecular transmission clusters (size range 2-13), drug resistance mutation sites included K103, E138, V179, P225, V106, V108, L210, T215, P225, K238, and A98.

Conclusions

The overall prevalence of PDR in China in 2022 was modest. Targeted genotypic PDR testing and medication compliance interventions must be urgently expanded to address PDR among newly diagnosed people living with HIV in China.
Adaptive Peer Tutoring and Insights From a Neurooncology Course (Preprint)
Authors: Ozkara Burak Berksu , Karabacak Mert , Ozcan Zeynep , Bisdas Sotirios
Published: October 2023

UNSTRUCTURED

Peer teaching in medicine is a valuable educational approach that benefits students and tutors alike. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the advancement of remote education in the medical field. In response, the Cerrahpasa Neuroscience Society organized a web-based, volunteer-based peer tutoring program to introduce students to central nervous system tumors. This viewpoint examines our peer mentoring experience in medical education. We discussed how we shaped the course, its positive effects, and the flexible nature of the course, which brought medical students from different regions together. In addition to evaluating academic results, we examined the social relations made possible by this unique teaching method by analyzing student feedback and test scores. Finally, we discussed the promise of global web-based mentoring, highlighting its significance in the dynamic and global context of medicine.
Assessing Opportunities and Barriers to Improving the Secondary Use of Health Care Data at the National Level: Multicase Study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Estonia (Preprint)
Authors: Metsallik Janek , Draheim Dirk , Sabic Zlatan , Novak Thomas , Ross Peeter
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Digitization shall improve the secondary use of health care data. The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ordered a project to compile the National Master Plan for Health Data Analytics, while the Government of Estonia ordered a project to compile the Person-Centered Integrated Hospital Master Plan.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to map these 2 distinct projects’ problems, approaches, and outcomes to find the matching elements for reuse in similar cases.

METHODS

We assessed both health care systems’ abilities for secondary use of health data by exploratory case studies with purposive sampling and data collection via semistructured interviews and documentation review. The collected content was analyzed qualitatively and coded according to a predefined framework. The analytical framework consisted of data purpose, flow, and sharing. The Estonian project used the Health Information Sharing Maturity Model from the Mitre Corporation as an additional analytical framework. The data collection and analysis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took place in 2019 and covered health care facilities, public health institutions, and health care policy. The project in Estonia collected its inputs in 2020 and covered health care facilities, patient engagement, public health institutions, health care financing, health care policy, and health technology innovations.

RESULTS

In both cases, the assessments resulted in a set of recommendations focusing on the governance of health care data. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the health care system consists of multiple isolated sectors, and there is a need for an overarching body coordinating data sets, indicators, and reports at the national level. The National Master Plan of Health Data Analytics proposed a set of organizational agreements for proper stewardship. Despite Estonia’s national Digital Health Platform, the requirements remain uncoordinated between various data consumers. We recommended reconfiguring the stewardship of the national health data to include multipurpose data use into the scope of interoperability standardization.

CONCLUSIONS

Proper data governance is the key to improving the secondary use of health data at the national level. The data flows from data providers to data consumers shall be coordinated by overarching stewardship structures and supported by interoperable data custodians.
Profiling Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on Social Networks (Preprint)
Authors: Alhazzaa Linah , Curcin Vasa
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Despite a dramatic increase in the number of people struggling with mental health diseases, a significant number still do not seek professional help. That makes mental health problems one of the major causes of disability worldwide, reducing the quality of life (QoL) in sufferers. With the growth in popularity of social media platforms, individuals have become more willing to share their feelings and express emotions through these channels. Therefore, social media data have become a viable digital biomarker for mental health conditions.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate and analyze GAD sufferers' social media post contents and associated behavioral patterns. These investigations could reveal their mental health status signals to help with digital interventions to promote help.

METHODS

We collect data from Twitter for users with and without self-reported GAD. Several preprocessing steps are done. For linguistic-based content analysis, we define three measurements derived from the impairments associated with GAD based on the LIWC (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count). GuidedLDA is also used to identify the themes present in the tweets. In addition, users' behaviors are analyzed based on Twitter metadata to perform an in-depth analysis. Finally, we study the correlation between these themes and their behaviors.

RESULTS

The results of the linguistic analysis indicate differences in cognitive style, personal needs, and emotional expressiveness for GAD sufferers compared to those without GAD. In addition, topic modelling identify four primary themes, i.e., symptoms, relationships, life problems, and feelings. We find that all themes are significantly higher for GAD sufferers than those without GAD. Moreover, studying users’ activities based on Twitter metadata, including hashtag participation, volume, interaction pattern, social engagement, and reactive behaviors, reveals some digital markers of GAD. We find that the individuals without GAD are more active because of higher volumes of friends, followers, listed count, retweets, hashtag participation, and mentions, except replying, which may be due to reactive responses. Furthermore, some interesting correlations between these themes and users' behaviors are also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Several digital makers for GAD have been uncovered through content and behavioral analyses. The findings of these investigations may contribute to developing a robust and reliable assessment tool that psychologists could utilize for the initial diagnosis of GAD or the detection of an early signal of worsening mental health states of GAD sufferers via social media posts.
Patient Preference Trade-offs for Next-Generation Kidney Replacement Therapies
Authors: Wilson Leslie , Gress Anne F. , Frassetto Lynda , Sarathy Harini , Gress Elizabeth A. , Fissell William H. , Roy Shuvo
Published: October 2023

Background

Next-generation implantable and wearable KRTs may revolutionize the lives of patients undergoing dialysis by providing more frequent and/or prolonged therapy along with greater mobility compared with in-center hemodialysis. Medical device innovators would benefit from patient input to inform product design and development. Our objective was to determine key risk/benefit considerations for patients with kidney failure and test how these trade-offs could drive patient treatment choices.

Methods

We developed a choice-based conjoint discrete choice instrument and surveyed 498 patients with kidney failure. The choice-based conjoint instrument consisted of nine attributes of risk and benefit pertinent across KRT modalities. Attributes were derived from literature reviews, patient/clinician interviews, and pilot testing. The risk attributes were serious infection, death within 5 years, permanent device failure, surgical requirements, and follow-up requirements. The benefit attributes were fewer diet restrictions, improved mobility, pill burden, and fatigue. We created a random, full-profile, balanced overlap design with 14 choice pairs plus five fixed tasks to test validity. We used a mixed-effects regression model with attribute levels as independent predictor variables and choice decisions as dependent variables.

Results

All variables were significantly important to patient choice preferences, except follow-up requirements. For each 1% higher risk of death within 5 years, preference utility was lower by 2.22 (β=−2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.52 to −1.91), while for each 1% higher risk of serious infection, utility was lower by 1.38 (β=−1.46; 95% CI, −1.77 to −1.00) according to comparisons of the β coefficients. Patients were willing to trade a 1% infection risk and 0.5% risk of death to gain complete mobility and freedom from in-center hemodialysis (β=1.46; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.64).

Conclusions

Despite an aversion to even a 1% higher risk of death within 5 years, serious infection, and permanent device rejection, patients with kidney failure suggested that they would trade these risks for the benefit of complete mobility.
Skull and scalp ultrasound in children: a review
Authors: Kriukova I. A. , Iova A. S. , Kryukov E. Yu. , Kulieva R. S.
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION: An important task of modern pediatrics is to ensure radiation safety of diagnostic examinations, especially in young children. One of the options for reducing radiation exposure at the stages of screening diagnostics and dynamic monitoring is a wider use of ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the data of domestic and foreign literature on the possibilities of ultrasound examination of the cranial vault bones, cranial sutures and scalp in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature search was performed in open Russian and English databases Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, RSCI, eLIBRARY using keywords and phrases: «skull ultrasound», «scalp ultrasound», «cranial sutures ultrasound», «point of care ultrasound», «pediatric POCUS» without limitation of retrospective depth.

RESULTS: Based on the literature data and our own long-term experience in the use of cranial ultrasonography in clinical practice, the indications and examination technique, as well as the key ultrasound signs of the most frequent types of pathology are described. Prospects of scalp and skull ultrasonography within PoCUS, FAST, including the use of portable sonoscopes based on smartphones and tablets are outlined.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasound of the skull and scalp is a quick, simple, affordable, harmless method of screening and monitoring the most frequent types of pathologies of the cranial vault bones, cranial sutures, and soft tissues of the scalp in children (for example, fractures, synostoses, neoplasms).
Криволинейные формы в архитектуре зданий и сооружений до XXI века
Authors: Алборова Лана , Мамиева Ираида
Published: October 2023

К настоящему времени систематизированы архитектурные стили со своими подвидами и стилевыми течениями применительно к тонким оболочкам и оболочечным структурам. Имеются несколько хронологий развития архитектурных стилей. В статье рассмотрены этапы появления сооружений криволинейной формы в виде поверхностей разных классов. Показано, что первые тонкие оболочки и оболочечные структуры имели форму сферической, цилиндрической поверхностей и некоторых простейших поверхностей вращения. К концу ХХ века из более чем шестисот известных анали-тических поверхностей нашли применение 24. Показано, что пять периодов в развитии архитектуры криволинейных форм совпадают по времени с пятью периодами проектирования и строительства тонких оболочек и оболочечных структур. В  анной статье авторы только констатирует реальное положение в архитектуре криволинейных форм ХХ века и отмечают возросший интерес архитекторов и строителей к таким объектам к концу ХХ века.
Mercury concentration in the snow cover of the city of Khabarovsk
Authors: Khomchenko Olga S. , Novorotskaya Alexandra G.
Published: October 2023

The research reveals results of studies of the total mercury content in the snow cover of Khabarovsk in winter period 2021-2022. Researchers highlight a connection between mercury and non-soluble residue, with minor transition into soluble phase. The total mercury content in the non-soluble residue ranged from 0.3 to 1.4 mg/kg. On the northern border of the Bolshekhekhtsirsky Reserve, area with high content of quicksilver (3 mg/kg) was found, which exceeds the maxi-mum permissible concentration by 1.4 times. Authors consider that high concentration of quicksilver may be a result of short-term local pollution and do not exclude cross-border origin of it. Content of mercury as a part of solid atmospheric precipitation on the Earth’s surface in this area is 37.5 µg/m2, with average values of 10-18 µg/m2. The maximum content of mercury (73.9 µg/m2) was found nearby CHP-3 area. The reason is a high concentration of combustion products in snow cover. The amount of solid atmospheric precipitation in the area of CHP-1 also significantly exceeded the average values, but this did not lead to an increase in the total amount of mercury that reached the surface. The minimum concentration of quicksilver was found in the embankment park area of the city - 3.2 µg/m2.
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS AS A FACTOR IN THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION
Authors:   LLC “Transformation”, STROEVA O.A. , LYAPINA I.R. ,   Orеl State University named after  I.S. Turgenev
Published: October 2023

The system of strategic provision of regions is modified in accordance with the concept of spatial development, which consists in the formation of stable and balanced territorial systems. The purpose of the article is to con-sider innovative business models as part of their application to the sustainable develop-ment of the region. The following aspects are the result of the scientific research: the definition of the business model in the context of Russian and foreign au-thor's interpretations is considered, the key parameters of the innovative business model "value - consumption" are deter-mined, the directions for adapting the business model of Low-touch scales are identified, the innovative business model of templates is structured, an innovative business model for generating ideas was applied to the process of sustainable de-velopment of the region. The basis of scientific research is such methods as comparison, classification of data, order-ing of information, visualization of pro-cesses, grouping, adaptation, logical se-quence, analogy, semantic description, systematization of factors, algorithmizing, hierarchy, applicability to given conditions.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A TOOL FOR PUBLIC MANAGEMENT IN TOURISM
Authors:   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, MUMINOVA S.R.
Published: October 2023

Digital transformation of public and municipal management entails wide implementation of the technologies related to artificial intelligence (AI), such as neural networks, machine learning algorithms and computer vision The purpose of the article is to review the results of foreign and domestic theoretical research, as well as practical developments in the field of AI, which can be used by public authorities in the regulation of such an economic industry as tourism. The research methodology is the analysis and identification of prognostic and classification models built with the help of these tools, which allow reaching a new level in decision making. As a result, a technological vector for the development of domestic tourism in the regions is presented. In particular, the in-troduction of AI technologies will allow public authorities not only to measure the anthropogenic load, conduct environmental monitoring of recreational areas and model their sustainable development, but also improve the safety of tourists. It is important that neural networks are able to solve the problem of false reviews, which will positively affect the quality of information available to Internet users. Thus, AI is taking shape as a new technological paradigm that underlies management processes in various fields, including tourism.
INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF RURAL AREAS
Authors:   Orel State Agrarian University named after N.V. Parakhin, VOLKOVA A.V.
Published: October 2023

The investment attractiveness of rural areas is quite an important indicator. Investment attractiveness allows you to evaluate and establish key rules for attracting investment. Despite the relevance, the assessment of the investment attractiveness of rural areas is carried out formally. The selected factor reduces the likelihood of attracting investments in fixed capital in rural areas. The pur-pose is to consider the foundations of the investment attractiveness of rural areas. The results of the scientific research are declared in the following aspects: approaches to investment attractiveness are considered, criteria for selecting the investment attractiveness of rural areas are determined, regulatory and legal aspects of ensuring the investment attractiveness of territories are highlighted, proposals are made to increase the investment attractiveness of rural areas through criteria blocks. The basis of scientific research is such methods as the method of theoretical data, grouping, evaluation of existing approaches, correlation selection, comparison, collection and processing of legislative information, visualization of risks, allocation of an indicative base.
The strategy of promoting effective management and accountability in village-owned enterprises through governance
Authors: Setyorini Christina Tri , Susilowati Dewi , Sukardi Purnama , Warsidi Warsidi , Julialevi Karina Odia , Janah Miftakhul , Kemalasari Rahma Yulita , Dewi Andaria Dyah W. K.
Published: October 2023

The objectives of this study are twofold. The first objective is to assess the degree to which governance principles are implemented in village-owned enterprises, VOEs (Badan Usaha Milik Desa, BUMDes) within the Cilacap regency. Identifying the obstacles to the successful implementation of governance practices in BUMDes is the second objective. A mixed-methods approach was used in the research technique, which combined quantitative and qualitative descriptive analyses. The quantitative component involved the administration of a questionnaire to eighty respondents, including BUMDes managers, village chiefs, and oversight bodies. The qualitative component consisted of focus group discussion (FGD), and observations to gather additional insights and perspectives. The primary findings of the study indicate that the application of governance principles exceeds fifty percent, indicating implementation that ranges from effective to extremely effective. However, the study also identified a number of barriers, such as a lack of synergy between the village government, BUMDes, and the community, limited human resource capacity, the absence of legal entity status for BUMDes, and ineffective governance mechanisms, which are similar to Lauwo et al. (2022) research. The significance of this study rests in the fact that research outcomes can direct efforts to overcome obstacles and improve the administration and accountability of BUMDes in the Cilacap regency and other regions with comparable characteristics.
Critical Assessment of Methods of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP) – Round XV
Authors: Kryshtafovych Andriy , Schwede Torsten , Topf Maya , Fidelis Krzysztof , Moult John
Published: October 2023

Computing protein structure from amino acid sequence information has
been a long-standing grand challenge. CASP (Critical Assessment of
Structure Prediction) conducts community experiments aimed at advancing
solutions to this and related problems. Experiments are conducted every
two years. The 2020 experiment (CASP14) saw major progress, with the
second generation of deep learning methods delivering accuracy
comparable with experiment for many single proteins. There is an
expectation that these methods will have much wider application in
computational structural biology. Here we summarize results from the
most recent experiment, CASP15, in 2022, with an emphasis on new deep
learning-driven progress. Other papers in this special issue of Proteins
provide more detailed analysis. For single protein structures, the
AlphaFold2 deep learning method is still superior to other approaches,
but there are two points of note. First, although AlphaFold2 was the
core of all the most successful methods, there was a wide variety of
implementation and combination with other methods. Second, using the
standard AlphaFold2 protocol and default parameters only produces the
highest quality result for about two thirds of the targets, and more
extensive sampling is required for the others. The major advance in this
CASP is the enormous increase in the accuracy of computed protein
complexes, achieved by the use of deep learning methods, although
overall these do not fully match the performance for single proteins.
Here too, AlphaFold2 based method perform best, and again more extensive
sampling than the defaults is often required. Also of note are the
encouraging early results on the use of deep learning to compute
ensembles of macromolecular structures. Critically for the usability of
computed structures, for both single proteins and protein complexes,
deep learning derived estimates of both local and global accuracy are of
high quality, however the estimates in interface regions are slightly
less reliable. CASP15 also included computation of RNA structures for
the first time. Here, the classical approaches produced better agreement
with experiment than the new deep learning ones, and accuracy is
limited. Also, for the first time, CASP included the computation of
protein-ligand complexes, an area of special interest for drug design.
Here too, classical methods were still superior to deep learning ones.
Many new approaches were discussed at the CASP conference, and it is
clear methods will continue to advance.
A critical study on detection of pollution level of overhead insulators by measuring pH and conductivity of the contaminants
Authors: Ijaz Umer , Anwar Muhammad Fraz , Nadeem Muhammad , Farhan Muhammad , Paracha Kashif Nisar , Sharif Muhammad Saad
Published: October 2023

The flow of electric power requires overhead insulators to maintain a safe distance between charged conductors and supporting structures. These insulators are installed in outdoor locations and are hence subjected to a variety of adverse environmental conditions, such as airborne dust and other contaminants. In moist conditions, these pollution factors can cause flashover, resulting in the loss of energy in the form of heat and light. Therefore, it is crucial to determine various types of contaminants based on geographical conditions and analyze their effects on the insulation capabilities of these insulators. This research work analyzes the accumulation of certain contaminants on the insulators installed at various geographical locations. Experimental approaches for detecting the level of contamination of insulators have also been examined, along with their limitations. Moreover, the findings of pollution tests performed in industrial, coastal, desert, inland, agricultural, and biological areas are presented as well. The flash-over voltage (FOV) of disc insulators made of porcelain for various pH and conductivity values has been observed to correlate FOV with pH and conductivity values of the pollutants. The pH and conductivity of contaminants are crucial factors impacting the insulator's flashover voltage, which is influenced by surrounding atmospheric conditions. Understanding the composition and monitoring these parameters can aid in developing preventive maintenance programs based on specified pH values, ensuring the reliability and performance of overhead insulators.
Comparison study on cooling management of composite phase change material battery pack: Two different cases
Authors: Vali Masthan , Govindarajan Murali , Chinnasamy Sivakandhan
Published: October 2023

Lithium-ion batteries have become more and more recently. Because of their more density of energy and extended life cycle. In this research investigate the paraffin wax and composite phase change material (CPCM) were used to make a hexagonal and trapezoidal-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. Because thermal conductivity of paraffin wax is very low, to increase thermal conductivity adding carbon-based material of graphite powder. Without cooling, PCM cooling, and CPCM cooling studies on the battery module were all done. This investigation found that environment temperature of 28-32?C, the experiment utilized three different discharge rates of 1C, 2C, and 3C. At all discharge rates, the CPCM with hexagonal battery pack has demonstrated good performance by keeping its temperature below 50?C. In related to PCM cooling, the peak temperature was decreased by 6.7%, 9.1%, and 8.9% at 1C, 2C, and 3C. The CPCM-with trapezoidal based battery pack lowered the high temperature increase by 14.2% when related to the PCM-based battery pack. Additionally, it reduced the temperature variance of the trapezoidal battery pack.