bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert System Integrating Rule-Based Reasoning to Voltage Control in PV-Rich Low Voltage Electric Distribution Networks
Authors: Dandea Vasilica , Grigoras Gheorghe
Published: April 2023

Nowadays, in low voltage (LV) electric distribution networks (EDNs), the Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are encountering a high number of connected small-scale distributed generation units, mainly photovoltaic (PV) prosumers. The irregular behavior of the prosumers, together with the uncertainty degree of the requested and injected powers associated with all end-users from the LV EDN, can cause voltage variations with violations of the allowable limits. In this context, the paper developed an efficient and resilient expert system integrating the rule-based reasoning applied to the On-load Tap Changer (OLTC)-fitted transformer to improve the efficiency of the voltage control in the PV-rich LV EDNs. An in-depth analysis based on 75 scenarios, resulting from the combinations of three indicators: the penetration degree of the PV prosumers, consumption evolution associated with the consumers, and energy production of the PV systems, has been performed to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed expert system in an LV EDN from a rural area belonging to a Romanian DNO. The success rate of the expert system has been 86.7% (65 out of 75 scenarios didn't have voltage issues, all values being between the allowable limits in 100% of the time slots associated with the analyzed period). For the other scenarios (representing 13.3%), the values have been inside the range [-10%, +10%] at least 95% of the time slots, according to the European Power Quality Standard, and for the rest of the time slots up to 100% being very close to the upper and lower limits of the range, with highly mitigating of the voltage variations.
The Role of Political Stability in the Context of ESG Models at World Level
Authors: Costantiello Alberto , Leogrande Angelo
Published: April 2023

In this article, we estimate the role of Political Stability and Absence of Violence and Terrorism-PS in the context of Environmental, Social and Governance-ESG data at world level. We analyse data from 193 countries in the period 2011-2020. We apply Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Panel Data with Random Effects and Pooled Ordinary Least Square-OLS. We found that PS is positively associated, among others, to Population Density and Government Effectiveness, and negatively associated, among others, to Research and Development Expenditure and Maximum 5-day Rainfall. Furthermore, we apply the k-Means algorithm optimized with the application of the Elbow Method and we find the presence of four clusters. Finally, we propose a confrontation among eight different machine-learning algorithms for the prediction of PS and we find that the Polynomial Regression shows the higher performance. The Polynomial Regression predicts an increase in the level of PS of 0.25% on average for the analysed countries.
Land Consumption of Current Diets Compared to the Planetary Health Diet: How many People can our Land Feed?
Authors: Schön Anna-Mara , Boehringer Marita
Published: April 2023

The way people in many countries eat today is disconnected to the resources and land locally available. In Europe, for instance, too much meat is eaten, but often cannot be fed by local resources. The percentage of non-local and non-seasonal food is tremendous, exploiting other regions and their water reservoirs. Current diets harm eco systems and people’s health. (Re-)regionalising food systems and aligning diets to planetary boundaries could be one way to reconnect people to the food they eat. Before demanding the (re-)regionalisation of food, it should be analysed whether current consumption patterns can be met at all with the regionally available agricultural land. We looked at the region Hesse in Central Germany, calculated and compared land consumption of current diets with the consumption as recommended by the Planetary Health Diet. Our focus is on livestock because land consumption to produce meat, dairy and eggs is relatively high. Our results show that the region is far from being able to feed the current livestock population, that it does not have the land to support the livestock needed to meet current consumption patterns, but that it could support a smaller livestock population according to the Planetary Health Diet, especially if farmers adopt crop rotation systems and extensive husbandry.
Leaf Phenological Responses of Juvenile Beech and Oak Provenances to Elevated Phosphorus
Authors: Bačurin Marko , Bogdan Saša , Katičić Bogdan Ida , Sever Krunoslav
Published: April 2023

The few studies dealing with leaf phenological responses to elevated nutrients in forest trees have given ambiguous results, i.e., while some reported delayed leaf-out and autumn leaf senescence, others reported advanced leaf phenology caused by increased nutrition. This study aimed to determine the effects of experimentally increased phosphorus (+P) on the leaf phenologies of two juvenile provenances of common beech and sessile oak. Other objectives were to determine whether there are interspecies differences as well as intraspecies variations. Saplings were excavated in two mixed beech-oak stands and transplanted into four wooden boxes filled with a commercial soil substrate. Phosphorus fertilizer was added to two of the boxes, while the remaining boxes served as controls. Both species responded to +P treatment with advanced autumn leaf senescence in the first year of the experiment. Leaf senescence in common beech began significantly earlier, while in both species, the process was accelerated compared to that in the control. In the second year, the leaf senescence response to +P treatment was even more pronounced in both species. The +P effect on leafing phenology was absent in both common beech provenances and in an oak provenance. However, the other oak provenance showed advanced leafing, indicating the existence of intraspecies differences.
SIFAT FISIK, KIMIA, DAN TINGKAT KESUKAAN MI KERING YANG DISUBSTITUSI TEPUNG UWI UNGU (Discorea alata L.)
Authors: Andini Ainun Noor , Tamaroh Siti
Published: April 2023

Purple yam (Dioscorea alata L.) is a type of tuber that has the potential as a source of carbohydrates, and there are antioxidant compounds in the form of anthocyanins and phenolic compounds. The manufacture of dried noodles substituted with purple yam flour is expected to increase the utilization of purple yam and reduce the use of wheat flour as the main ingredient for making noodles. The addition of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose aims to improve the physical properties of dried noodles. In this study, the manufacture of dried noodles was carried out by treating the raw material with a ratio of wheat flour: purple yam flour 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and CMC 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 g/100 g. The resulting dried noodles were tested for water content, ash content, protein content, anthocyanin content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, color, texture, cooking loss and preference test. The data obtained were then carried out with a one-way ANOVA statistical test and if there was a significant difference, it was continued with the DMRT test at a 5% confidence level. The results of this study indicate that the manufacture of dried noodles can be made with a ratio of wheat flour: purple yam flour ratio of 70:30, so as to reduce the use of wheat flour.In the manufacture of dried noodles with substitution 30 parts of purple yam flour used CMC 0.50 g/100 g. The characteristics of the best dry noodles produced in this study were as follows : water content 10.24% wb, protein content 12.19% db, ash content 3.97% db, anthocyanins content 4.93 mg/100 g db, total phenolic content 19.48 g GAE/ 100 g db, antioxidant activity 3.14%, color L= 29.53, a*=6.80, b*=7.58, cooking loss = 8.52% and overall preference level cooked dried noodle = 3.80 (preferred).
Restoration of External Rotation by Sequential Glenoid Lateralization Based on Body Size in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Imai Shinji
Published: April 2023

Background:

Although reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for rotator cuff arthropathy reliably restores anterior elevation (AE), restoration of external rotation (ER) had been unreliable using traditional Grammont-type designs, which has been addressed by lateralizing the center of rotation. This study investigated whether sequential lateralization based on the intraoperatively measured glenoid-humeral axis interval (GHI) results in better outcomes than RSA with a uniform amount of lateralization irrespective of the GHI.

Methods:

Fifty-four shoulders were treated with a nonlateralized Grammont-type implant between 2016 and 2018 (group A). Forty shoulders were treated with the same Grammont-type implant with 8.0-mm-thick bony increased offset (BIO) between 2014 and 2016 (group B). Fifty consecutive shoulders were treated with a different Grammont-type implant with glenoid-side prosthetic lateralization based on the GHI between 2019 and 2020 (group C). Group C was further stratified into 3 subgroups: group C1 (GHI < 20.0 mm, n = 12) was lateralized by +3.4 mm; C2 (20.0 ≤ GHI ≤ 24.0 mm, n = 25), by +5.4 mm; and C3 (GHI > 24.0 mm, n = 13), by +7.4 mm. Active ER with the arm at the side (ER0) and abducted to 90° (ER90) as well as functional outcomes including active AE and Constant and UCLA scores were evaluated at 2 years postoperatively.

Results:

The mean age, height, and body mass index and the percentage of male patients were not significantly different between groups A, B, and C. However, the patients in subgroup C1 were the shortest (151.3 ± 3.9 cm) and most elderly (77.5 ± 4.1 years) and had the highest proportion of female patients (91.7%). The patients in subgroup C3 were the tallest (161.1 ± 5.6 cm) and had the highest proportion of male patients (69.2%). ER0, ER90, and the Constant score were significantly larger in group C than in group A. AE, ER0, and the Constant and UCLA scores were significantly larger in group C than in group B.

Conclusions:

Rather than using a single ideal offset, the optimal lateralization may be better determined according to the body size, the muscle volume, or perhaps the excursion of the musculotendinous unit of each individual patient.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Diagnostic Accuracy of NIHSS Score in Predicting in-Hospital Mortality in Patients of Ischemic Stroke taking Actual in-Hospital Mortality as Gold Standard
Authors:   Department of Medicine & Allied, Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University Lahore, Pakistan., Waris Umaima , Butt Nauman Ismat ,   Department of Medicine & Allied, Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University Lahore, Pakistan, Shafqat Tehreem ,   Department of Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, Hameed Sehrish ,   Department of Medicine, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, Ghouri Mohammad Sohail Ajmal ,   Department of Neurology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan., Anser Aniqa ,   Department of Medicine & Allied, Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University Lahore, Pakistan.
Published: April 2023

Abstract: Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of NIHSS score for predicting in-hospital mortality among patients of ischemic stroke taking in-hospital mortality as gold standard. Material & Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out from May 2020 to November 2020 at Medicine Department, Services Institute of Medical Sciences Lahore. A total of 142 patients aged 30-70 years of both sex with ischemic stroke patients as per-operational definition of duration ?24 hours were enrolled. Patients of hemorrhagic stroke, cardiac disease and CRF were excluded. After taking informed consent, NIHSS score was evaluated in each patient and in hospital mortality will be noted. All patients were followed by the researcher herself and in hospital mortality was noted. Results: Mean age was 53.5+9.2 years with74 (52.11%) females. Mean disease duration was 6.8+1.7 hours and mean NIHSS score was 24.3+7.1. NIHSS score was evaluated in each patient and found 75 True Positive while 06 False Positive. In the 61 NIHSS score negative patients, in-hospital mortality was seen in 06 (False Negative) while 55 (True Negative) did not have in-hospital mortality (p-value <0.001). The Specificity, Sensitivity, Negative Predictive Value (NPV), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and diagnostic accuracy of NIHSS score to predict in-hospital mortality among patients of ischemic stroke taking in-hospital mortality as gold standard was 92.59%, 90.16%, 92.59%, 90.16% and 91.55% respectively. Conclusion: Diagnostic accuracy of NIHSS score in predicting in-hospital mortality in ischemic stroke patients is quite high.
On Two Syntheses of the Prof. Sergey S. Horujy
Authors:   Beijing Normal University, Baichun Zhang
Published: April 2023

Two trends in Russian religious thought – Russian religious philosophy and Or­thodox theology – for a long time developed separately. In their history, they have followed different paths, they have different destinies, significant connec­tions have not been established between them, and their synthesis has not oc­curred. This problem has become the subject of special attention of the Russian philosopher, Professor Sergey S. Horujy. Capturing the philosophical signifi­cance of the hesychast turn in Orthodox theology, Sergey S. Horujy transferred it to philosophy. Having made three turns – hesychast, anthropological and phe­nomenological – Sergey S. Horujy carried out a synthesis in Russian religious thought on the path of reconstruction of hesychast anthropology. And having cre­ated his own anthropological concept – synergistic anthropology, Sergey S. Ho­rujy thus accomplished the synthesis of philosophy and religion at the present stage of their development. S.S. Horujy distinguishes three types of ultimate hu­man manifestations and three ways of unlocking, opening oneself to the Other: ontological, ontic and virtual. Their description forms the basis of synergetic an­thropology. Going beyond anthropology in the established sense of the word, synergetic anthropology, developed by Sergey S. Horujy, goes beyond the scope of philosophy. Arising on the basis of Orthodoxy, this discipline also goes be­yond Christianity and can become the center around which all the disciplines of modern humanitarian knowledge will unite.
Li Zhi’s Oppositional Authentism: An Alternative to the Conceptual Contradictionism
Authors:   Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Rudenko Nikolai V.
Published: April 2023

The article presents and provides argumentation to the relevancy of definition of Neo-Confucian thinker Li Zhi (1527–1602) philosophical views as “oppositional authentism”, the core feature of which is the perception of genuineness as the highest value. This genuineness is defined through making the opposition of genuine and non-genuine. The research is mostly based on 73 essays from Li Zhi’s opus magnum “A Book to Burn” (Fen-shu) and proved with quotations from such works as «Interpretation of Child-like Heart» (Tong-xin shuo), «Inter­pretation of Diverse [Plays]» (Za-shuo), «Discourse on He Xinyin» (He Xinyin lun), «Preface to the “Analysis of the ‘[Treatise of Teacher] Lao’” by Ziyou» (Ziyou jie-Lao xu), «Discussions on Behalf of Statues of Three Mahasattvas» (San da-shi xiang-yi), «Interpretation of Voidness and Fullness» (Xu-shi shuo). It is noted that Li criticizes as inauthentic both concepts that diverge from reality, and elements of reality that do not correspond to the concepts he shares: which can be seen, in particular, on the example of essays «Discourse on Ghosts and Spirits» (Gui-shen lun) and «Interpretation of the Four Don’ts» (Si wu shuo). Also, the article criticizes some statements of prominent contemporary scholars of the field (R. Handler-Spitz, Li Wai-yee), which are connected with the percep­tion of Li Zhi’s views as consciously contradictional, precisely with Li’s attitude to Confucian canons, emotions and feelings and their manifestations in various spheres of life, filial piety and martyrdom. It is suggested that the tendency to as­certain Li Zhi as conceptually contradictory thinker which is frequently seen in contemporary researches can be explained by the insufficient volume of Li’s texts analyzed by scholars, following stereotypical assessments of the past, as well as the desire to exoticize thinker's views or to endow them with importance for the modern world.
On the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and the Scientific Revolution
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Mammadzada Ilham R. , Dadashova Samira N. ,   Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
Published: April 2023

The article is devoted to the philosophical analysis of artificial intelligence and its role in understanding the ideas of the scientific revolution. Over the past decades, the problem of AI has not lost its relevance due to the rapid development of cognitive sciences, on the one hand, and the human desire to achieve tangible results in a short period, on the other. The work is an analysis of some modern problems in Azerbaijani science and an analysis of how it can be modernized with the help of AI. According to the authors, Azerbaijani science is at the stage of transition from a pre-problem to a problem stage, the essence of which is detailed in the article. Such significant questions are revealed as what is AI and a revolution in the minds of scientists, what prevents science from being modern, how the scientific revolution can affect the reform processes in other areas, etc. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the philosophical analysis of AI in the context of the scientific revolution. The authors strive to show that the scientific revolution is possible only through a significant change in individual consciousness (consciousness of scientists) and the influence of science on the collective consciousness (consciousness of society). At the same time, the scientific revolution should be understood as a problem that can be solved with the help of AI. The authors also propose to introduce the construction of interdisciplinary and inter-academic relations into the scientific community on the basis of a “horizontal dialogue”.
A.N. Parshin (1942–2022): Volunteer of the Best
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia), Vizgin Viktor P.
Published: April 2023

The article is dedicated to the memory of Alexey Nikolaevich Parshin (1942–2022), an outstanding mathematician, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a scientist with universal interests, who devoted a lot of attention to general problems of science and culture. The author of the article uses the rich philosophical and theoretical heritage of A.N. Parshin, archival materials and personal memories. Initiator of the seminar on Russian philosophy, A.N. Parshin in his works on Russian philosophy traced in particular the theme of its inter­action with natural and exact sciences. The article shows that the axis of A.N. Parshin’s Weltanschauung was Christian Platonism, like that of Pavel A. Flo­rensky, whose work made an indelible impression on him and introduced him to the world of philosophy. The author of the article reveals the specifics of A.N. Parshin’s approach to the humanities, to the problem of the unity of knowl­edge and religious culture. Special author’s attention is paid to such a problem as that of cycles and rhythms in the structure of time, which combines the ideas of various sciences and cultural traditions. This problem was of particular interest to A.N. Parshin. The article also gives the general characteristic of the creative personality of A.N. Parshin, which is based on the concept of heroic philoso­phy, referring to the later stage of the philosophical evolution of F. Ravaisson, the French spiritualist, the predecessor of H. Bergson.
Philosophy Lessons and Matters of Philosophical Education in the Works of Gabriel Marcel
Authors:   Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Guseynov Farid I. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University
Published: April 2023

The article deals with the clarification of the forms of teaching philosophy and the characteristic mistakes in teaching, in the interpretation of the French Catholic philosopher and playwright Gabriel Marcel (1889–1973). The place and influence of philosophy in the living space of culture was not, as it is known, static and permanent. In different epochs, it was called either a queen or a ser­vant, and its perception, both by the philosophers themselves and by merely edu­cated and poorly educated people, changed, as did the forms of “wisdom lessons”. Today, the positions of philosophy in the world leave much to be de­sired, the point of its meaning, place and role in modern society turns out to be debatable, and the teaching of philosophy and the teaching of philosophizing are problematized. These problems are closely related to Marcel’s definition of the essence of philosophy and the role of the philosopher in society. Marcel argues that philosophy presupposes openness to others and unity of people on the basis of ascent to the transcendent. To examine these topics, the thinker introduces the concepts of intersubjectivity, philosophical experience, etc., and distinguishes between the concepts of problem and mystery. The philosopher is called to a deep examination of the foundations and prospects of the modern world. These definitions are becoming radically relevant in the era in which the possibilities of nuclear suicide of mankind have opened up and the philosopher cannot stand aside while remaining unbiased. This means, Marcel concludes, that teaching philosophy should be based on openness, inclusiveness and integration of peo­ple, passing them “flame, not ashes”.
Computational Studies on Highly Fluorescent D-π-A Isomeric BenzoCoumarin-Sesamol Conjugates for Optoelectronic Application
Authors: Madar Mahesh , Pujar Malatesh S , H Shridhar A , Basanagouda Mahantesh M , Sidarai Ashok H
Published: April 2023

In this report we have studied, the substitutional effect on photophysical properties of newly synthesized isomeric benzocoumarin-Sesamol Conjugates using absorption, steady-state fluorescence emission, and time-resolved emission measurements. The structural characterization of the synthesized dyes was carried out using FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and MS. The ground states are estimated using theoretical (ab-intio) experimental techniques. The excited state dipole moment was calculated using the solvatochromic method. Stoke's shift exhibits a redshift with an increase in solvent polarity for synthesized indicating a p-p* transition. The HOMO-LUMO energy gaps computed from density functional theory and absorption threshold wavelengths are found to be in good agreement with each other and also support intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The Global chemical reactivity descriptor parameter and electrostatic potential (MESP) plots suggest that molecules have strong electrophilic and nucleophilic sites. The preliminary photophysical observations and results suggest that the fluorescent dyes can be considered as potential material for the construction of solar cells, fluorescent probes, and chemosensors.
Drivers of cocoa agroforestry adoption by smallholder farmers around the Taï National Park in southwestern Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Kouassi Kouakou Jean-Luc , Diby Lucien , Konan Dieudonne , Kouassi Allegra , Bene Yeboi , Kouame Christophe
Published: April 2023

Forest encroachments in protected areas leading to severe biodiversity loss are common in Côte d’Ivoire for the last few decades mainly due to agricultural expansion. Several initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture practices are ongoing in the vicinity of these protected forests to reverse the anthropogenic pressure and its consequences. This study was undertaken to assess selected agricultural practices and the willingness of the cocoa farmers to adopt agroforestry around the Taï National Park in Southwest Côte d’Ivoire. A structured questionnaire was administrated to 323 cocoa farmers to understand their current practices and perceptions of cocoa agroforestry. Our results showed that 95% of farmers grow unimproved cocoa varieties with an average yield of 376 ± 36 kg/ha per year. In terms of agricultural practices, more than 91% of farmers applied pesticides, 86% use agroforestry practices as part of their farming systems, while 82% use pruning techniques and 27% applied fertilizers. We also found that most farmers (54%) are willing to adopt improved agroforestry practices or plant more trees in their cocoa plantations. The willingness of these farmers to practice cocoa agroforestry is influenced by gender, the length of residency and the number of cultivated cash crops. Our findings can be used as entry points to make good use of strong community knowledge and take advantage of existing knowledge to strengthen the take-up of good agricultural practices and generate on-the-ground sustainable impacts.
Grow Newtonian rigid inertia into parameter repetitiveness memory equivalent bio-inertia to issue the Principle of Entropy Degeneration
Authors: Lai Yi Yu
Published: April 2023

Note: Please see pdf for full abstract with equations.
Inversion energy is parameter-against-gravity-internal-fluctuation, the non-simultaneousness gravitational tension among turnover fluctuations is quantizing time. Modified Newtonian Laws first: 𝑑/𝑑𝑥 cosx =−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥, 𝑑/𝑑𝑥 sinx = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥; second: 𝐹⃗=𝑚∙𝑎⃗+|𝑚𝑔⃗∫𝑡𝑔𝜃⋅𝑑𝜃 ⟩↿⇂ third: Wavelength =2/𝑛 L, frequency = n𝑓0. Bio-systems are topological spaces viarepetitiveness memories to deliver a degeneratedentropy for offspring, the trigonometric flux through the space by environmental surface inversion is bio-inertia. Schrödinger equation has only quantized energy thus inducing quantum collapse, we then utilize 𝑯̂𝜓=𝑬𝜓 + Σn|cos(1/𝑛 𝑥)⟩ to degenerate eigenstates on asurface tension region to define G shifting quantum growth gravity for quantum non-simultaneous regeneration. Originating from gravitational turnover tension between Planck regions and surface tension regions, bio quantum grows in vivo cross folded-surface tension region flow. By the principle of entropy (inversion) degeneration, life relies on negentropy procurements to physically inherit by quantum growth turnover immunity that regenerates by sexual yolk sac (or asexual nucleus) homing. Long COVID niches grow from the turnover resistance tension is also demonstrated.unveiled.
Multi-period synchronous deconvolution for complex fault diagnosis of rolling element bearings
Authors: Zhou Tao , ZHAO Ming , Ou Shudong , Wu Changqing
Published: April 2023

Due to inaccurate period knowledge or incomplete information, there are limitations in extracting all potential complex faults of rolling bearings and enhancing weak faults. To address this problem, this article introduces a novel deconvolution method, named multi-period synchronous deconvolution (MPSD). In this method, decomposing matrix-matrix in solving the filter coefficients are used to replace designing objective function to avoid only obtaining the filter signal of the optimal objective function. Based on eliminating the effects of subspace noise, a novel evaluation index, called characteristic information ratio, is proposed to evaluate fault significance by fault information levels instead of energy. In addition, an informative subspace selection strategy is proposed to control the weighting coefficients of each subspace in reconstructed signal. Without the predetermined fault periods, the proposed MPSD can simultaneously extract latent multiple faults and enhance weak fault features. Finally, simulations and experimental cases substantiate the efficacy and eminence of MPSD.
Biomechanical Effects of Different Sitting Postures and Physiologic Movements on the Lumbar Spine: A Finite Element Study
Authors: Cho Mingoo , Han Jun-Sang , Kang Sungwook , Ahn Chang-Hwan , Kim Chul-Hyun , Kim Kyoung-Tae , Kim Ae-Ryoung , Hwang Jong-Moon
Published: April 2023

People sit frequently and perform various physiologic activities while seated. Intradiscal pressure in a static posture has been studied extensively, but research is lacking on how the pressure applied to the spine and disc changes during dynamic movements in different postures. In this study, finite element modeling (FEM) was used to investigate how pressure distribution on the lumbar spine changes when standing or during straight, slumped, and floor sitting. Three types of load modes, flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation, were applied to the FEM. A moment of 10 N·m was applied at the cervical spine and a load of 300 N at the head. In the erect sitting and standing postures, there was no significant difference in the pressure distribution of the annulus fiber and nucleus pulposus, representing intradiscal pressure, according to the three movements. Stress increased by an average of 113% during slumped sitting and 123% while floor sitting compared with standing. The pressure on the annulus fibers and nucleus pulposus in the lumbar spine increased the most while floor sitting, when lumbar lordosis decreased the most. Maintaining a sitting position during physiologic activities that reduces lumbar lordosis effectively reduces intradiscal pressure associated with various degenerative disc diseases.
Sparse Spatio-Temporal Dynamic Hypergraph Learning for Traffic Accident Prediction
Authors: Cui Pengfei , Yang Xiaobao , Abdel-Aty Mohamed
Published: April 2023

Traffic accidents have become one of the biggest public health safety matters, which has raised many concerns from citizens and city managers. Accurate traffic accident prediction can not only assist the government in making decisions in advance but also enhance public trust in public safety. Conventional spatio-temporal prediction models, limited by the skewed distributions and sparse labels of traffic accident occurrence, are prone to overfitting. Inspired by hypergraph learning and self-supervised learning, this paper suggests a sparse spatio-temporal dynamic hypergraph learning (SST-DHL) framework to capture the higher-order dependencies in sparse traffic accidents. Specifically, a multi-view spatio-temporal convolution block is employed first to capture the local spatio-temporal correlation and inherent semantics of traffic accidents. Then we propose a cross-regional dynamic hypergraph learning model to capture global spatio-temporal dependencies beneath the entire urban landscape. In addition, a two-supervised self-learning paradigm is intended to strengthen the representation of sparse traffic occurrences by regional self-identification, which can capture local and global spatio-temporal traffic patterns. The proposed model is applicable to most sparse datasets for traffic forecasts. Extensive experiments was conducted on two heterogeneous accident datasets from New York City and London, and the results shows an average improvements of 7.21%-23.09% at different sparsity levels compared to the optimal baselines. More importantly, the proposed SST-DHL improves the interpretability of model results, which demonstrates that hypergraph learning can efficiently capture the complex higher-order spatio-temporal dependencies among different traffic accident instances.
Effectiveness of a Group-based Education and Monitoring Program Delivered by Community Health Workers to Improve Control of High Blood Pressure in Island Districts of Lake Victoria, Uganda, February-March 2022
Authors: Kwiringira Andrew , Migisha Richard , Bulage Lilian , Kwesiga Benon , Kadobera Daniel , Upenytho George , Mbaka Paul , Harris Julie R. , Hayes Donald , Ario Alex R.
Published: April 2023

Background: Individuals living in communities with poor access to healthcare may be unaware of their high blood pressure (BP). While the use of community health workers (CHWs) can address gaps in human resources for health, CHWs in Uganda have not been used previously for BP screening and management. We report the results of an initiative to train CHWs to evaluate BP and to administer group-based education in Kalangala and Buvuma Island Districts of Lake Victoria, Uganda.
Methods: We randomly selected 42 of 212 villages. We trained 84 CHWs based in island districts on measuring BP. CHWs visited all households in the selected villages and invited all adults ≥18 years to be screened for high BP. We used the World Health Organization’s STEPwise tool to collect data on demographic and behavioral characteristics and BPmeasurements. High blood pressure was defined as systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg over three readings. CHWs created and led fortnight support groups for individuals identified with high blood pressure at baseline. At each group meeting, CHWs re-measured BP and administered an intervention package, which included self-management and lifestyle education to participants. The paired t-test was used to compare mean values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) before and after the intervention. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to model longitudinal changes in BP.
Results: We trained 84 CHWs to measure BP and deliver the intervention package. Among 2,016 community members, 570 (28.3%) had high blood pressure; of these, 63 (11.1%) had a previous diagnosis of hypertension. The comparison of SBP and DBP before and after the intervention revealed significant reductions in mean SBP from 158mmHg (SD=29.8) to 149 mmHg (SD=29.8) (p<0.001) and mean DBP from 97mmHg (SD=14.3) to 92mmHg (p<0.001).
GEE showed decreases of -1.133 (SBP) and -0.543 mmHg (DBP)/fortnight.
Conclusion: High BP was common but previously undiagnosed. The CHW-led group-based self-management and education for controlling high BP was effective in the island districts in Uganda. Scaling up the intervention in other hard-to-reach districts could improve control of high BP on a large scale.
Forecasting of CO2 Emissions in Algeria Using Discrete Wavelet Transform –Based Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Models
Authors: SAHED Abdelkader , Mekidiche Mohammed , Kahoui Hacene
Published: April 2023

The increasing impact of climate change and rising temperatures has made the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions a top priority globally. Accurately forecasting these emissions is a crucial aspect of transitioning towards a clean energy economy. This paper introduces a new method for estimating CO2 emissions by combining the wavelet technique with both an autoregressive integrated moving average (DWT-ARIMA) and ARIMA model, applied to annual carbon dioxide emissions data in Algeria from 1970 to 2022. The study provides decision makers with crucial information to help find effective environmental protection solutions in Algeria. The results suggest that the wavelet-ARIMA model is more effective compared to the traditional ARIMA model.
Efficacy of extended view totally extra peritoneal approach versus laparoscopic intraperitoneal on lay mesh plus for abdominal wall hernias: a single center preliminary study
Authors: Xu Haisong , Huang Wenhao , Guo Yuehua , Li Mingyue , Peng Gongze , Wu Tianchong
Published: April 2023

Background
Minimally invasive surgery through Laparoscopy had been the first treatment option for ventral hernias. Laparoscopic intraperitoneal on lay mesh (IPOM) plus approach for abdominal wall hernias is the classic procedure, while extended view totally extraperitoneal (e‑TEP) repair is a newer option. This study aimed to compare the preliminary effects of the two surgical procedures for abdominal wall hernias repair.
Methods
This is a retrospective and comparative single-center study done at The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University Hospital (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, China, from January 2022 to December 2022. The study included all patients who had undergone abdominal wall hernia operation with a 2 to 6-cm defect size. Patients' baseline characteristics, hernia features, operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain level, and total hospitalization expenses were conducted systematically.
Results
We evaluated 53 cases, 22 in the e-TEP group and 31 in IPOM plus group. The demographic characteristics had no significant difference between the two groups. The time of surgery in e-TEP was significantly longer than IPOM plus (98.5 ± 10.7min vs. 65.9 ± 7.3min, P < 0.01). Postoperative pain levels (VAS) (4.2 ± 0.9 vs. 6.7 ± 0.9, P < 0.01), analgesic requirements (25.0 ± 37.0mg vs. 72.6 ± 40.5mg, P < 0.01), hospital stays (1.2 ± 0.5days vs. 2.2 ± 0.6days, P < 0.01), and total hospitalization expenses (19695.9 ± 1221.7CNY vs. 35286.2 ± 1196.6CNY, P < 0.01) by contrast were significantly lower for the e-TEP group. There was no difference in the mean intraoperative bleeding between the two groups and no postoperative complications during the observation period in the two groups.
Conclusion
As a new surgical technique for abdominal wall hernias repair, e-TEP appears to be better than IPOM plus in postoperative pain levels (VAS), analgesic requirements, hospital stays and hospitalization costs.
Nefrotoxicity Caused by Colistin Use: A Single Center Experience
Authors: KILIC Isa , AYAR Yavuz , CEYLAN İlkay , KAYA Pınar KUCUKDEMIRCI , CALISKAN Gulbahar
Published: April 2023

Aim
In resistant infections and septic patients, the choice of colistin in the selection of antibiotic therapy is important in the treatment response. Kidney damage is common after antibiotic use. In our study, we evaluated the clinical and laboratory data of the patients who developed nephrotoxicity after the use of colistin, followed in the intensive care unit of our hospital.
Material and Methods
The clinical and laboratory characteristics and treatment results of 148 patients (54 nephrotoxic patients) with infection who were followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) of our hospital evaluated.
Results
The group that developed nephrotoxicity was older [70.5 (40–91), p < 0.001]. The APACHE II score was higher in the nephrotoxicity group [20.5 (5–49), p = 0.004]. Positive inotrope use and mortality were higher in the nephrotoxicity group [32 (59.3%), p < 0.001 and 30 (55.6%), p = 0.004]. The duration of colistin use was longer in the nephrotoxicity group [13.5 (3–36), p = 0.045]. In the group that developed nephrotoxicity, the highest growth was detected in the tracheal aspirate (TAS) [49 (90.7%), p = 0.045]. Positive inotrope use and growth in TAS culture predisposed the development of nephrotoxicity in multivariate analysis [3.12 (1.38–7.02), CI 95%, p = 0.006, 5.70 (1.64–19.79), CI 95%, p = 0.006].
Conclusion
Consideration should be given to the use of colistin in resistant infections and septic patients in terms of nephrotoxicity and mortality. Antibiotic selection should be considered in critically ill patients, and patients should be closely monitored.
Evaluation of the salivary level of Glutathione reductase, Catalase and Free thiol in patients with oral lichen plaus
Authors: Rezazadeh Fahimeh , Khorami Elham Tayebi , Mahdavi Dorsa , Fassihi Nima , Tabesh Amir , Sedarat Hossein
Published: April 2023

Objective:Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a usual chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa with malignant capacity, whose pathogenesis is not yet well known. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species may have a vital role in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus. This study aimed to assess Glutathione reductase, catalase, and free thiol levels in the saliva of OLP patients and compare it with healthy people.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 35 patients with OLP and 20 healthy people were involved. Five mL of whole, unstimulated saliva samples were collected in the morning, and the salivary levels of antioxidants were measured by ELISA technique. In this experiment, sex, age and OLP types were also evaluated.Results:There was a significant decrease in the salivary level of Glutathione reductase and catalase in patients (p=0.001), but there were no differences between the two groups regarding free-thiol level (p=0.7). However, there was no correlation between age and gender with the antioxidants’ contents. There was a significant decrease in glutathione reductase and catalase in the erosive type than in the non-erosive type.Conclusions:In this study, we found that the salivary levels of Glutathione reductase and Catalase were lower in OLP patients than in the healthy group, which means these antioxidants were affected by OLP and also related to the type of it. So salivary Glutathione reductase and Catalase levels may be used as biomarkers for OLP monitoring and treatment.
Effects of heart failure and coronary artery disease on erectile dysfunction: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shao Kaiyang , Chen Weikang , Li Yaling , Zheng Huiyan , Hu Ruying , Zhang Jianqiao , Sun Ting
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims: There are no clear conclusions as to whether heart failure (HF) and coronary heart disease (CAD) increase the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED).In our study, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to discover a causal relationship between HF, CAD and ED.
Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with HF, CAD and ED were obtained from the MRC IEU Open Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) database.After a series of screenings, the remaining SNPs were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) for HF and CAD for MR analysis to assess the relationship between genetically predicted HF or CAD and the pathogenesis of ED.Among them, we used the random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analysis method.Finally, Cochran's q-test, funnel plots, MR-Egger regression, Leave-one-out method and MR-PRESSO were used for sensitivity analysis.
Results: In the IVW method, there was no significant causal relationship between genetically predicted HF and CAD and the incidence of ED.(HF: OR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.99-1.39; p = 0.074;CAD: OR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.99-1.17, p = 0.068)。The results of sensitivity analyses supported our conclusion that no horizontal pleiotropism was found.
Conclusion: This study did not find a causal relationship between HF or CAD and ED in European populations, which requires further in-depth research.
Global dynamics analysis of a duopoly game model with isoelastic demand and consumer surplus
Authors: Liu Yuxia , Zhou Wei , Li Haijun , Xue Rui , Zhang Xiaopeng
Published: April 2023

We established a dynamic duopoly game model with consumer surplus and isoelastic demand, and studied the local and global dynamic characteristics of the game model. The local stability of the boundary equilibrium point is examined by way of the stability theory and Jacobian matrix, and through the Jury criterion, the stable region of the Nash equilibrium point is determined. The analysis revealed that the system may lose stability via the Flip bifurcation and the Neimark-Sacker bifurcation. The effect of each parameter on the stability of the system is discussed in virtue of numerical simulations, and it is concluded that when enterprises choose relatively small the speed of adjustment, profit weight coefficient and marginal cost, as well as relatively large price elasticity coefficient, it is more beneficial to the future long-term development of enterprises. With the help of the basin of attraction, the problem of attractor coexistence is studied. Multiple stability always implies path dependence, implying that historical chance has a significant impact on the future behavior of enterprises. In other words, the slight perturbations of the initial conditions will have a significant impact on how the system develops. In addition, we investigate the system’s global dynamical behavior using critical curves, basins of attraction, attracting areas and the noninvertible map, and discover three global bifurcations of the system. The boundary of the chaotic attractor and the region with higher density of points are given by the critical curve.
An antibody drug engineered for prevention of malaria in global populations
Authors: Williams Katherine , Guerrero Steve , Flores-Garcia Yevel , Andrews Kayla , Kim Dongkyoon , Williamson Kevin , Siska Christine , Smidt Pauline , Jepson Sofia , Liu Hong , Li Kan , Dennison S , Mathis-Torres Shamika , Chen Xiaomu , Wille-Reece Ulrike , MacGill Randall , Walker Michael , Jongert Erik , King C , Ockenhouse Christian , Glanville Jacob , Moon James , Regules Jason , Tan Yann Chong , Cavet Guy , Lippow Shaun , Robinson William , Dutta Sheetij , Tomaras Georgia , Zavala Fidel , Ketchem Randal , Emerling Daniel
Published: April 2023

Over 80% of malaria-attributable deaths are in children under five. However, the only malaria vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for paediatric use, Mosquirix™, has limited efficacy. Complementary strategies, like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), will be required to eradicate malaria. To discover new anti-malaria mAbs, we evaluated >28,000 antibody sequences from circulating B cells obtained from 45 Mosquirix™ vaccinees and selected 369 for testing. Many antibodies bound the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a main surface protein on malaria and the malaria antigen in Mosquirix™, and several were exceptionally protective in mouse models of malaria. Through this work, we identified surprising correlations that suggest certain CSP sequences in Mosquirix™ may induce immunodominant antibody responses that dilute protective immunity. Further, we selected the antibodies most protective in preclinical mouse models and engineered them for improved manufacturability and developability to meet WHO guidelines. An optimised clinical candidate, MAM01, suitable for paediatric populations living in low-to-middle-income countries, was selected for clinical development.
Large-eddy simulation of turbulent flame synthesis of silica nanoparticles with an extended population balance model
Authors: Tsagkaridis Malamas , Papadakis George , Jones William P. , Rigopoulos Stelios
Published: April 2023

In the present study, our recently proposed extended population balance equation (PBE) model for aggregation and sintering is incorporated into a Large-Eddy Simulation - Probability Density Function (LES-PDF) modelling framework to investigate synthesis of silica nanoparticles in a turbulent diffusion flame. The Eulerian stochastic field method is employed to solve the LES-PBE-PDF equations, characterising the influence of the unresolved sub-grid scale motions, and accounting for the complex interaction between turbulence, chemistry and particle dynamics. A different sub-grid mixing time scale is introduced to the model to account for the low diffusivity of nanoparticles. The models for gas-phase chemistry and aerosol dynamics are the same as those recently used by the authors to simulate silica synthesis in a laminar flame (Tsagkaridis et al. 2023). Thus, by retaining the same kinetics without any adjustments in parameters, we focus on the modelling issues arising in silica flame synthesis. The LES results are compared with the detailed experimental in-situ SAXS data of of Camenzind et al (2008). Good agreement is found between numerical predictions and experimental data for temperature along the centreline. However, the LES model underestimates the SAXS data for primary particle diameters by a factor of two. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed by leveraging knowledge acquired from the aforementioned laminar-flame simulations.