bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation of the effect of urban transportation on the spread of air pollution in the residential part of city
Authors: Shadman Ehsan , Nia Pezhman Bahmani
Published: August 2023

Today, the main focus of human society is on environmental protection, and the observance of environmental standards in order to continue human life on Earth is an important and serious concern. The share of cars in large cities in the production and emission of air pollutants is about 70%, and this share is mainly due to fossil fuels. In the present paper, the behavior of air pollution in a part of the city is simulated by considering the wind pattern using computational fluid dynamics. The K-epsilon turbulence model was employed for the simulation. The governing equations for viscous flow included continuity equation, momentum, and turbulence model equations. CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) modeling provides a good description of flow field variables anywhere in the region with details. The resulting mathematical models and fluid flow patterns can be used in research and development, design, and even engineering economics. This simulation of the environment in the form of environmental models has many benefits, including accuracy and speed of modeling, especially using today's computers. Using the results of this simulation, researchers, authorities and policymakers can test the effects of new programs and ideas without spending time and time in the real world. In fact, by modeling instead of crisis management, you can predict or plan the risk.
Frequency of circulating B cell subpopulations in umbilical cord blood and venous blood
Authors: Goedicke-Fritz Sybelle , Bous Michelle , Weber Regine , Kaiser Elisabeth , Rogosch Tobias , Markert Sabrina , Kerzel Sebastian , Schmidt Tina , Maier Rolf Felix , Zemlin Michael
Published: August 2023

Background
The intrauterine and early extrauterine development represents a “window of opportunity” in the immuno-logical development. The underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to provide reference values B cell subpopulations in cord blood of term newborns, juveniles and in adults to find the spectrum of their physiological age-related variation.
Methods
In this study, we used flow cytometry to evaluate human B lymphocytes and subpopulations in cord blood (n = 10), in peripheral blood from healthy juveniles aged 1 to 17 years (n = 20) and from donors aged 24 to 62 years (n = 10).
Results
Our findings showed increasing frequencies of IgM memory B cells, class-switched memory B cells, marginal zone B cells and plasmablasts, from cord blood to peripheral blood of juveniles and adults. In contrast, the percentage of naïve B cells was higher in newborns than in juveniles and adults. The frequencies of immature B cells were similar were similar in cord blood and peripheral blood of adults. Interestingly, transitional B cells frequencies were similar in cord blood and adults but significantly lower in juveniles.
Conclusions
The frequencies of circulating B cell subpopulation are subject to considerable changes during ontogeny, reflecting overlying effects of maturation and of the acquisition of an adaptive immune memory.
Gait speed and sagittal abdominal diameter: The results from the Handan Eye Study
Authors: Liu Juping , Hao Jie , Zhang Ye , Cao Kai , Li Xiaorong , Wang Ningli
Published: August 2023

The objective was to examine the relationship between GS and BMI, WC, waist-hip ratio (WHR), SAD-heigh ratio (SADHtR), WC-height ratio (WCHtR), SAD-WC ratio (SWR). This was a cross-sectional analysis. 2852 participants were included. Unadjusted analyses were performed to estimate the gender-specific means of GS according to each anthropometric index category. Furthermore, the mean of GS according to SWR interquartile was adjusted by age. Multivariate linear regression for GS was performed by SPSS. After adjustment for age, the negative correlation between SWR and GS was confirmed in overall population (t=-2.977, P = 0.003) and in women (t=-2.509, P = 0.012), not in men. The age-adjusted means of GS were 0.983 (95% CI 0.978–0.989) m/sec in SWR 1st IQR, 0.980 (95% CI 0.974–0.987) m/sec in 2nd IQR, and 0.980 (95% CI 0.973–0.986) m/sec in 3th IQR and 0.969 (95% CI 0.963–0.976) m/sec in 4th IQR. Adjust by serum albumin, hypertension and diabetes, the relationship between GS and SWR was still negative correlation in general population(t=-2.257, P = 0.024). This confirms Higher SWR is associated with lower GS. Age and gender should be considered when we explore the relationship between GS and SWR in older adults.
WITHDRAWN: As-IV improves LPS-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting calpain-1/PI3K/Akt Signaling
Authors: guo xinyu , wang hongxin
Published: August 2023

Objective and design
To explore the impacts and mechanisms of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on LPS-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction, which is often associated with the development of sepsis. Previous experimental and clinical studies have established the cardiovascular benefits of AS-IV, but the mechanism of action behind vascular endothelial dysfunction improvement remains unclear.
Materials and methods
In vivo studies, Capn1-/- and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with AS-IV (40, 80 or 120 mg/kg) for 7 days, except for the control group. The model of endotoxemia was established with a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg), in vitro studies, human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were pretreated with AS-IV, MDL-28170 (a calpain-1 inhibitor), and LY-294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) for 2 hours, afterwards, the cells were incubated with LPS (1 mg/L) for 24 hours. Vascular endothelial dysfunction was assessed by vascular reactivity testing, HE staining, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry.
Results
Higher concentrations of LPS (1000 ng/ml) caused significant vascular endothelial dysfunction, however, AS-IV treatment enhanced ACh-induced vasodilatory responses, eNOS and NO production, reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and was accompanied by downregulation of calpain-1 and upregulation of PI3k and p-Akt in both mice and at the cellular level. Meanwhile, Capn1-/- and MDL-28170 increased the expression of PI3K and P-Akt, delayed the onset and progression of vascular endothelial dysfunction and reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, with pharmacological effects similar to those of AS-IV. In addition, LY-294002 significantly reduced AS-IV-mediated protection in vitro.
Conclusion
AS-IV ameliorated vascular endothelial dysfunction and may exert its protective effects through the calpain-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
A System Dynamics Based Policy Simulation Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste Flow for Inland and Riverine Area in Khulna City of Bangladesh
Authors: Rafew S M , Rafizul Islam M , Kraft Eckhard
Published: August 2023

A comprehensive analysis of regional plastic waste flow in both land and marine ecosystem is mandatory to tackle potential hindrance towards a cumulative sustainable growth accompanied with green taxonomy. The severity of plastic pollution in most of the coastal cities around the world are augmenting the plastic waste footprint not only in those land areas but also in the oceans and aquatic lives. This study has been conducted to shed lights on presently mismanaged flow of plastic waste in the coastal gateway city of Khulna and to develop effective policy measures for reducing the plastic waste footprint around the city. To achieve the stated goal, a system dynamics (SD) model has been constructed with numerous knitted factors that has a potential applicability beyond specific regional boundaries. Baseline simulation results show that the per capita plastic waste generation increases to 11.6 kg by 2040 from 8.92 Kg in 2023. Moreover, an extensive quantity of 69.7 thousand tons of piled up plastic waste at landfills along with a riverine discharge of 834 ton from the city side has given rise to the plastic waste footprint index (PWFI) value to 24 by 2040. Furthermore, the absence of technological initiatives is responsible for logarithmic rise of the non-recyclable plastic waste to 1.35 thousand tons. The annual turnover of recycle shops has been found decreasing from 381 million BDT to 245 million BDT by 2040, due to the shutting down of recycle shops. This study has also evaluated two policy scenarios to illustrate that preventing riverine plastic discharge, encouraging govt. incentives for recycle and manufacturing industries innovative techniques such as converting discarded plastic to manufacture end products is obligatory. In this regard policy 2 has been adequate enough from a sustainability perspective with lowest PWFI value of 1.07 with a per capita plastic waste generation of 10 kg by 2040. Finally, through sensitivity analysis the parameter boundary adequacy and robustness of developed SD model has been checked to suffice its efficient applicability for policy analysis to reduce plastic waste flow in identical spatiotemporal regions.
Population genetic structure of white teatfish, Holothuria fuscogilva in south-coast, Kenya
Authors: Karan Diana J. , Fulanda Bernerd M. , Mkare Thomas K. , Wambua Sammy M.
Published: August 2023

The white teatfish, Holothuria fuscogilva, is widely distributed in coastal areas, including waters around coral reefs and seagrasses in the Indo-Pacific. In Kenya, the species is distributed in shallow reefs, with higher landings reported from the Vanga-Shimoni-Msambweni seascape on the Kenyan south coast. The present study investigated the genetic structure and effects of fishing pressure on genetic diversity of H. fuscogilva populations from three fish landing sites in south-coast Kenya, using an analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase sub-unit I (COI) gene. Muscle tissues were obtained for a total of 60 individuals collected from three sites. Genomic DNA was extracted from the ethanol stored samples using commercial DNA extraction kit method. DNA samples for 47 samples were able to amplify using the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR). High-quality PCR products yielding high-quality sequences, producing 22 haplotypes with high haplotype diversity but low nucleotide diversity (h = 0.922, π = 0.008). The northernmost site, Gazi, reported higher genetic diversity (h = 0.933) than other populations. The genetic structure was analyzed using Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), a comparison of the genetic differentiation between populations using Fixation Indices (FST) based on Wright's F-statistics. AMOVA showed the highest proportion of variation within the populations than among the populations. The fixation index FST showed a lack of structure among H. fuscogilva (FST = 0.01186, p. value = 0.29069). The H. fuscogilva populations at the three study sites along Kenya's south coast appear to have genetic connectivity but no significant genetic structure. The genetic structure estimates and intra-population genetic diversity depict a robust population that can regenerate lost individuals after a fishing event. This study has generated information on genetic structure and the status of genetic diversity of H. fuscogilva under fishing pressure in south-coast Kenya. The study has provided genetic information to elucidate population genetic structure along the Kenya south-coast that is critical in guiding the formulation of sound harvest strategies and conservation management policies for the H. fuscogilva species.
Fast Railway Foreign Objects Intrusion Detection Method Based on Cascaded Convolution Neural Network and Knowledge Distillation
Authors: Meng Siming , Chen Weixun , Jiang Yuelong
Published: August 2023

The efficient and accurate detection of foreign objects invading railway tracks holds paramount importance in safeguarding the safety of train operations. Focusing on the problem of the low efficiency of the existing foreign objects detection methods, this work proposes a fast railway foreign objects intrusion detection method based on cascaded convolution neural network and knowledge distillation. First, a two-stage cascade convolution neural network is built.The first stage can identify whether the railway images are intruded by foreign objects or not. This is achieved by a light weight image classification network.In the second stage,YOLOv3 is employed to classify and locate the objects in the intruded railway image. The use of lightweight classification network can reduce the use of the object detection network, thus improving the overall efficiency of the railway foreign objects intrusion detection method in this paper. Secondly, this paper employs the Overhaul knowledge distillation algorithm to train a lightweight network that is supervised by a larger network, so that the lightweight network constructed in this paper also has satisfying image classification performance. Finally, the YOLOv3 object detection network is used to detect the foreign object image classified by the first level network. The experimental results demonstrate that the accuracy of the image classification network proposed in this paper is competitive to the classical backbone network, and the FPS is about 50–70 higher than the comparison method.
Challenge for long-term discontinuation of immunosuppressants in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: a single-center experience over 10 years
Authors: Sobue Yoko , Nishi Kentaro , Kamei Koichi , Inoki Yuta , Osaka Kei , Kaneda Tomoya , Akiyama Misaki , Sato Mai , Ogura Masao , Ishikura Kenji , Ishiguro Akira , Ito Shuichi
Published: August 2023

Background
Despite adverse events associated with the long-term use of immunosuppressants, their long-term discontinuation remains challenging in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Relapse and resumption of immunosuppressants after discontinuation and associated risk factors were analyzed.
Methods
This single-center retrospective cohort study included 107 children with frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS) or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) who initiated immunosuppressant treatment between 2010 and 2020. Patients treated with immunosuppressants for less than two years and those with genetic SRNS were excluded.
Results
Of 107 patients with FRNS/SDNS or SRNS, 68 (64%) discontinued immunosuppressants. Discontinuation of immunosuppressants was more frequently tried in patients with less relapse on initial immunosuppressants and less rituximab administration. Of 68 patients who discontinued immunosuppressants, 45 (66%) relapsed and 31 (46%) resumed immunosuppressants with a median follow-up of 39.8 months (IQR, 24.6–71.2 months) after discontinuation. The relapse-free survival rates were 40.0%, 35.3%, and 35.3% in 1, 2, and 3 years from discontinuation of immunosuppressants, respectively. The resumption-free survival rates were 59.0%, 52.2%, and 52.2% in 1, 2, and 3 years from discontinuation of immunosuppressants, respectively. Relapse on initial immunosuppressants was the risk factor for both relapse (HR 2.447, 95%CI 1.234–4.856, P = 0.011) and resumption of immunosuppressants (HR 3.070, 95༅CI 1.315–7.167, P = 0.010) after discontinuation, adjusting for sex, age at immunosuppressant treatment initiation, SRNS, and rituximab use.
Conclusions
Long-term discontinuation of immunosuppressants can be feasible in patients without a relapse on initial immunosuppressants and those without a relapse for one year after discontinuation of immunosuppressants.
Trial registration:
Not applicable
Impact of diapause on the cuticular hydrocarbons and certain physiological characteristics of the spotted amber ladybeetle, Hippodamia variegata
Authors: Khabir Mahsa , Izadi Hamzeh , Mahdian Kamran
Published: August 2023

The spotted amber ladybird, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Col.: Coccinellidae), is known to be a potent predator of aphids, psyllids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and some butterfly species. This ladybeetle overwinters in the diapausing adult stage. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of diapause on the energy resources and cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) of the female ladybeetle, specifically comparing the changes in glycogen, lipid and protein contents, and CHCs profile of diapausing and non-diapausing adults. The research utilized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze whole-body extracts of the beetles. Results showed no significant differences between the amount of glycogen, lipid, and protein contents of diapausing and non-diapausing ladybeetle. The CHCs profile of H. variegata consisted of 24 hydrocarbons categorized into two groups: linear aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-alkanes) and methyl-branched hydrocarbons (17 molecules), as well as unsaturated cyclic compounds (7 molecules). The n-alkanes, with 14 compounds, were identified as the primary constituents of the CHCs of the ladybeetle. Six molecules were common to non-diapausing and diapausing beetles, five were exclusive to non-diapausing beetles, and 13 were exclusive to diapausing beetles. Moreover, the researchers noted a significant difference in the quantity and quality of CHCs between diapausing and non-diapausing beetles, with diapausing beetles synthesizing more CHCs with longer chains. This disparity in CHC profiles was concluded to be an adaptation of H. variegata to survive harsh environmental conditions during diapause.
Higher-pitched female voices elicit jealousy: Comparing the explanatory power of perceptions of mate poaching, attributions of attractiveness, and trait jealousy
Authors: O'Connor Jillian J. M.
Published: August 2023

Higher-pitched female voices elicit jealousy among women. However, it is unknown whether jealousy towards higher-pitched female voices is driven by perceptions of the rival’s mating strategy, by attractiveness to one’s romantic partner, or by variation in trait jealousy. Here, I manipulated women’s voices to be higher or lower in pitch, and tested whether jealousy towards female voices was more strongly associated with perceptions of mate poaching, perceptions of attractiveness to one’s mate, or with individual differences in trait jealousy. I replicated findings that higher voice pitch elicits more jealousy from women, which was positively associated with perceptions of mate poaching, and with attractiveness to one’s partner to a lesser extent. I found no evidence of an association between trait jealousy and perceptions of intrasexual competition. The findings suggest that perceptions of a target’s mating strategy have a somewhat stronger impact on jealousy than does perceived desirability to one’s romantic partner.
Spectroscopic signatures and conformational preferences in isolated melatonin: a computational study.
Authors: Singh Vipin Bahadur , srivas santosh kumar
Published: August 2023

Neurohormone melatonin has become a popular dietary supplement because it is a potent antioxidant, immune-active agent, and mitochondrial regulator and establishes healthy sleep. Melatonin could have many shared underlying mechanisms that can modulate and control the immune and oxidative response against COVID-19 infection. Despite its essential biological roles, a high-level ab initio conformational study has yet to be conducted more precisely on its most favored structural forms. We presented the conformational preferences of the five lowest energy structures of neutral melatonin derived from the First Principle Møller–Plesset Second-Order Perturbation Theory (MP2) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) ( M06-2X, and ωB97X-D) calculations that validated, Gauche-phenyl conformation (C), Gph (trans-in)/anti, as the most favored form, following experimental rotationally resolved spectroscopy and in contrast of two-photon IR and UV spectroscopy.[7, 25] The DFT-B3LYP evaluation of harmonic wave numbers allows us to make more precise vibrational assignments. Melatonin's ‘most remarkable’ fingerprint IR and Raman spectroscopic signatures were identified at 1212 and 1358 cm-1, respectively. The cis amide NH stretch frequency is lower than the trans amide counterpart. The CH2(α) and CH2(β) symmetric stretch vibrations have exhibited significant IR intensity and high Raman activity. Time-Dependent DFT calculations predict that the second-lowest excited state 1La (1ππ*) of Melatonin C is about 2129 cm-1 above the lowest excited 1Lb (1ππ*) state, and both states display a redshift on bulk hydration (mimicked by a polarizable continuum solvent model). Based on melatonin's prominent intrinsic vibrations/electronic excitations, the spectroscopic signatures can identify and distinguish from closely related indolic molecules.
The Black-Hole Limits of the Spherically Symmetric and Static Relativistic Polytrope Solutions
Authors: deLyra Jorge L.
Published: August 2023

We examine the black-hole limits of the family of static and spherically symmetric exact solutions of the Einstein field equations for polytropic matter, that was presented in a previous paper. This exploration is done in the asymptotic sub-regions of the allowed regions of the parameter planes of that family of solutions, for a few values of the polytropic index n, with the limitation that n > 1. These allowed regions were determined and discussed in some detail in another previous paper.
The characteristics of these limits are examined and analyzed. We find that there are different types of black-hole limits, with specific characteristics involving the local temperature of the matter. We also find that the limits produce a very unexpected but specific type of spacetime geometry in the interior of the black holes, which we analyze in detail. Regarding the spatial part of the interior geometry, we show that in the black-hole limits there is a general collapse of all radial distances to zero. Regarding the temporal part, there results an infinite overall red shift in the limits, with respect to the flat space at radial infinity, over the whole interior region. The analysis of the interior geometry leads to a very surprising connection with quantum-mechanical studies of naked Schwarzschild black holes.
We argue that the black-hole limits cannot actually be taken all the way to their ultimate conclusion, due to the fact that this would lead to the violation of some essential physical and mathematical conditions. These include questions of consistency of the solutions, questions involving infinite energies, and questions involving violations of the quantum behavior of matter. However, one can still approach these limiting situations to a very significant degree, from the physical standpoint, so that the limits can still be considered, at least for some purposes, as useful and simpler approximate representations of physically realizable configurations with rather extreme properties.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8187223
A NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Chain Model and Performance Study
Authors: Seol Jongho , Ke Zuqiang , Kancharla Abhilash , Joshi Shital , Park Nohpill
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a quantitative model to assess the performance of a NFT (Non-Fungible Token)-centered chain as referred to as a NFT Chain in this paper. The model was introduced in [17] and more extensive simulations are conducted and the results are presented in this work. NFT chain in general stores its data distributed across on chain (e.g., NFT registration ledger data and an address pointing at the data located off chain such as meta data table and ultimate digital asset's data) due to the high cost to store the potentially high volume of data for digital assets. Therefore, it is expected that the overall performance of NFT chain is primarily to be dominated and bound by the off-chain performance. The proposed performance model employing an embedded Markovian queueing process model, tracks a bivariate state of the NFT chain such that \(\left(\varvec{i},\varvec{j}\right)\) where \(\varvec{i}\) stochastically tracks the number of slots of the transactions executed on chain and \(\varvec{j}\) stochastically tracks the number of transactions off chain as well, and the states transition as determined by \({\varvec{\lambda }}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{n}}\), \({\varvec{\lambda }}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{f}\varvec{f}}\), \(\varvec{\mu }\), and the number of slots in the current block. Extensive numerical simulations are performed to validate the efficacy of the model. The primary set of variables used in the simulations consists of \({\varvec{\lambda }}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{n}}\), \({\varvec{\lambda }}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{f}\varvec{f}}\), \(\varvec{\mu }\) and the average number of slots of the transactions during a block posting, \(\varvec{L}\), is simulated based on both \({\varvec{L}}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{n}}\)and \({\varvec{L}}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{f}\varvec{f}}\); and the average waiting time \(\varvec{W}\) based on both \({\varvec{W}}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{n}}\)and \({\varvec{W}}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{f}\varvec{f}}\), in an intermingled manner in order to take into account of the nature of NFT transactions executed across on- and off-chain without loss of generality. The simulation results in [17] has demonstrated a good agreement with the expected and intuitive trends. The results of more extensive simulations are presented in this paper to further demonstrate the efficacy and versatility of the proposed model. Ultimately, the proposed NFT chain model will serve as a sound theoretical foundation for the design of NFT chains from the performance's perspective.
Modeling and optimization of height-related geometrical parameters for thin wall structures manufactured by metal additive manufacturing
Authors: Dehaghani Mostafa Rahmani , Tang Yifan , Panicker Suraj , Wu Di , Coatanea Eric , Wang G. Gary
Published: August 2023

Cold metal transfer wire arc additive manufacturing (CMT-WAAM) has attracted attention in recent years due to its ability to print walls with higher dimensional accuracy than regular WAAM. To print near net shape parts by CMT-WAAM, there is a need to define a set of height-related geometrical parameters (HGPs) that can capture, quantify, and compare the quality of the height of the produced parts. In the presenting study a set of HGPs, namely, the average height error (AHE), maximum height variation (MHV), and average absolute slope (AAS) are defined and assessed. Fifteen single-track multi-layer walls are printed to check the effect of process parameters on the defined HGPs. It is found that the stability and quality of the print cannot be guaranteed by checking the visual appearance of the single beads and at least five-to-ten-layer walls should be printed. It is also found that the travel speed (TS) and wire feed speed (WFS) have positive monotonic relationships with AAS and MHV, respectively. Correlations between process parameters and HGPs are modeled and optimized using multi-objective optimization and a validation test is performed to check the validity of the developed models. Moreover, HGPs of walls printed using unidirectional and bidirectional path strategies are calculated and compared. Defined HGPs are able to quantify, capture, and compare the quality of height of a wall with only three parameters. The HGPs can be used in further studies to report and compare the quality of height of thin wall structures.
Physiological Responses to Organizational Stressors Among Police Managers
Authors: Nota Paula M. Di , Scott Sarah C. , Huhta Juha-Matti , Gustafsberg Harri , Andersen Judith P.
Published: August 2023

Police officers demonstrate increased risk of physical and mental health conditions due to repeated and prolonged exposure to stressful occupational conditions. Occupational stress is broken into two types: operational stress, related to the content of field duties (e.g., physical demands); and organizational stress, related to cultural and structural contexts (e.g., interpersonal relationships). Applied police research focuses on physiological activation in operational tasks as a mechanism explaining health risk and non-optimal performance outcomes. However, recent survey-based studies indicate numerous organizational stressors associated with self-reported mental health symptoms. The question of whether organizational stressors elicit significant physiological activity remains unknown. The current proof-of-concept field study tests the hypothesis that police managers will display significant physiological reactivity before, during, and after engaging in reality-based scenarios representative of stressful police management tasks developed from evidence-based pedagogical approaches. A sample of 25 training police managers (7 female, M = 16 +/- 5.3 years of experience) completed 5 reality-based scenarios, including resolving a heated conflict between colleagues, delivering negative feedback to a subordinate, and critical incident command. Significant increases in heart rate relative to rest were observed during all tasks, and in anticipation of several tasks. Greater increases in reactive heart rate were associated with longer recovery times. Sex differences and relationships between objective biological and subjective psychological measures of stress are discussed. The current findings demonstrate significant physiological responses to organizational stressors similar to levels observed during operational tasks, despite the absence of physical or aerobic exertion. Implications for police health and training are discussed.
Strict intuitionistic fuzzy distance/similarity measures based onJensen-Shannon divergence
Authors: Wu Xinxing , Zhu Zhiyi , Garg Harish , Chen Guanrong , Liu Peide
Published: August 2023

Being a pair of dual concepts, the normalized distance and similarity measures are important tools fordecision-making and pattern recognition under an intuitionistic fuzzy set framework. A good normalizeddistance measure should ensure that its dual similarity measure satisfies the axiomatic definition in orderto be more effective for problems. In this paper, we first construct some counterexamples to illustrate thattwo existing measures do not meet the axiomatic definition of intuitionistic fuzzy similarity measures.We then show that (1) these two measures cannot effectively distinguish some intuitionistic fuzzy values(IFVs), which can be directly judged by our intuition; (2) except for the endpoints, there exist infinitelymany pairs of IFVs, where the maximum distance 1 can be achieved under these two distances, leading tocounter-intuitive results. To overcome these drawbacks, we introduce the concept of strict intuitionisticfuzzy distance measure (SIFDisM) and strict intuitionistic fuzzy similarity measure (SIFSimM), andpropose an improved intuitionistic fuzzy distance measure based on Jensen-Shannon divergence. Weprove that (1) it is a SIFDisM; (2) its dual similarity measure is a SIFSimM; (3) its induced entropyis an intuitionistic fuzzy entropy. Comparative analysis and numerical examples demonstrate that ourproposed distance measure is completely superior to the existing ones.
Unveiling The Role of lncRNA NRON and NFATc3 In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Molecular Insight for Disease Pathogenesis and Biomarker Discovery
Authors: Zebardast Diba , Salehi Zivar , Zaersabet Mona , Sojoudi Kiana , Mashayekhi Farhad , Motamed Behrang
Published: August 2023

Background
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key factors in the progression of many metabolic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA repressor of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (lncRNA NRON) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 3 (NFATc3) in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods and Results
The expression patterns of NRON and NFATc3 were measured using quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. Network analysis and gene enrichment analysis were carried out using bioinformatic tools and the Cytoscape platform. The results showed that NRON was upregulated in T2DM patients, while NFATc3 gene and protein accounted for a lower expression (p < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis displayed that these biomarkers play key roles in multiple mechanisms and pathways linked to the development of T2DM.
Conclusions
lncRNA NRON and NFATc3 can act as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of T2DM.
Decreased gene expression of common γ-chain receptor (CD132) in tissues of Crohn’s disease patients
Authors: JC Andreu-Ballester , Hurtado-Marcos Carolina , García-Ballesteros Carlos , Pérez-Griera Jaime , Izquierdo Fernando , Ollero Dolores , Gil-Borras Rafael , Llombart_Cussac Antonio , Lopez_Chulia Francisca , Cuéllar Carmen
Published: August 2023

Background.
A deficiency of γδ T cells has been described in Crohn's disease (CD). Our goal was to analyze the gene expression of IL-7 and its receptors in tissues of patients with CD.
Methods
We studied the peripheral blood of 80 patients with Crohn's disease, comparing them with a group of 80 healthy subjects. The number and apoptosis of αβ and γδ T cells in peripheral blood and the proportion of αβ and γδ T cells in intestinal tissues of CD patients (n = 25) were studied. IL-7 gene expression, IL-7 protein, common γ-chain receptor (CD132), receptor α (CD127) and caspase 3 in tissues were analyzed by qPCR. Serum IL-7 levels were analyzed.
Results
An increase in apoptosis of CD56 + αβ and γδ T cells in peripheral blood was observed, beside IL-7 gene expression and IL-7 protein in tissues of these patients were increased. The titers of caspase 3 in tissues were low. The number of γδ T cells decreased, and was directly related to IL-7 levels in peripheral blood. The expression of common γ-chain receptor (CD132) is greatly decreased in the tissues of Crohn's disease patients.
Conclusion
There may be a cause-effect relationship between the lower gene expression of the common receptor of the γ chain (CD132) and this immunodeficiency.
WoS-CoMS : Work Stealing-based Congestion Management Scheme for SDN programmable networks
Authors: Yankam Yannick Florian , Tchendji Vianney Kengne , Myoupo Jean Frédéric
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the SDN (Software-Defined Networking) paradigm emerged as an easy way to manage large-scale network infrastructures through programmability brought out and its control plane/data plane decoupling logic. This enables infrastructure and service providers to have a global view of the network and track traffic flows from a remote controller. However, congestion control remains a concern due to the evolution of increasingly complex and resource-intensive user requirements (virtual reality, metaverse, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud, ...) on network infrastructures. This server state leads to high latency in request processing and data loss. This paper proposes in such controller-supervised environment, a congestion management scheme within network service servers to maintain acceptable quality of service. The strategy relies on work stealing to ensure better workload balancing. Simulations show that the proposed solution can reduce congestion load into the servers by up to 22%, depending on request grain size, within a shorter latency than other works in the literature. Moreover, the proposed solution allows stolen tasks to be completed within a shorter timeframe.
Novel 4-nitroimidazole analogues: Synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation, in silico studies and molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Al-Soud Yaseen A. , Al-Sawakhnah Sondos O. , Al-Qawasmeh Raed A. , Al-Masoudi Najim A. , Al-Ahmad Ala’a H. , Al-Maliki Lamia , Geelen Lasse , Kalscheuer Rainer , Saeed Bahjat A. , Shtaiwi Amneh , Stark Holger
Published: August 2023

A new series of 4-nitroimidazole bearing substituted aryl piperazines 7-16, tetrazole 17 and 1,3,4-thiadiazole 18 derivatives was designed and synthesized. All derivatives were screened for their anticancer activity against eight diverse human cancer cell lines (Capan-1, HCT-116, LN229, NCI-H460, DND-41, HL-60, K562 and Z138). Compound 17 proved the most potent compound of the series inhibiting proliferation of most of the selected human cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. In addition, compound 11 exhibited IC50 values ranging 8.60 to 64.0 μM against a selection of cancer cell lines, whereas compound 18 showed IC50 values varying between 8.25 and 43.55 μM against all the selected cancer cell lines, whereas. These findings suggest that derivative 17 can potentially be a new lead compound for further development of novel antiproliferative agents. Additionally, compounds 17-18 were assessed for their antibacterial and antituberculosis activity, where derivatives 17 and 18 were the most potent compounds of the series against both Staphylococcus aureus strain Wichita and a methicillin resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as against M. tuberculosis strain mc26230. The antiviral activity of compounds 7-18 was also evaluated but no activity was found against the selected viruses. The docking studies were conducted to predict the interaction of derivative 17 with putative protein targets in acute myeloid leukemia, specifically Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3). The results showed a docking score of -8.132 kcal/mol-1, indicating a strong binding affinity. Additionally, it was observed that derivative 17 exhibited favorable hydrophobic interactions with the active site of the tyrosine kinase-3. Furthermore, the analysis of the 200 ns molecular dynamics simulation results based on the best-docked complexes 17 and 18 with tyrosine kinase-3 receptor demonstrates stable interactions, and the complexes undergo the same conformational fluctuations. The average of the calculated binding free energy of complex 17 and 18 are -184.6 kJ/mol and -160.2 kJ/mol, respectively, and the result demonstrated that complex 17 promoted higher stability than complex 18 to the tyrosine kinase-3.
Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Insulin-Treated Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Leite Silmara A O , Silva Michael P , Lavalle Ana C R , Bertogy Maria C V , Bastos Murilo , Kuklik Suelen C V , Umpierrez Guillermo
Published: August 2023

Background
Few studies have reported on the adherence and efficacy of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in improving diabetes management in insulin-treated older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods
Prospective observational cohort study using FreeStyle Libre Flash CGM in insulin-treated adults > 65 years with T2DM and HbA1c between 7% and 9%. Participants wore the CGM during a 6-weeks study period. The primary outcome was time in range (TIR) between 70–180 mg/dl. Secondary outcomes included time below range (TBR), glycemic variability (GV), adherence, and use of glucose data for self-insulin adjustment.
Results
A total of 66 participants completed the six weeks of CGM (age 72·8 ± 5·3 years; BMI 27·8 ± 3·6 kg/m2), HbA1c: 8·0 ± 0·6%, with an overall sensor utilization of 93·1 ± 6·0%. Compared to baseline, we observed stability in TIR (67% vs. 70%, p = 0.190, and a significant reduction in glucose variability (34·9 ± 7·2 vs. 32·9 ± 6·8, p = < 0.001) and in TBR (4% vs. 2%, p = 0.008).
Conclusion
The FreeStyle Libre Flash CGM was well accepted by older adults with T2DM and allowed participants to make therapy decisions to improve TIR and reduce TBR and glycemic variability. This real-world study indicates that CGM is safe and effective in improving glycemic control and should be offered to insulin-treated older adults with T2DM.
Fibrin Glue Closure Versus Lateralising Flap Procedures in the Management of Pilonidal Sinus Disease in Adolescents: A 14-year Cohort Study
Authors: Giles William , Murthi Govind , Lindley Richard
Published: August 2023

Introduction
Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) arises in the hair follicles of the gluteal cleft with many cases occurring during adolescence. Early studies of pit excision with fibrin glue closure (PEF), a minimally invasive procedure for the management of chronic PSD, suggest it is safe and effective with similar results to traditional lateralising flap procedures (LFP), without the need for extensive tissue excision and associated complications. However, these studies lack large sample sizes and prolonged follow-up.
Methodology
All children undergoing primary operative procedures for chronic PSD from May 2009 to February 2023 received either a PEF or a LFP. Recurrence and complications rates alongside their demographic and disease severity data were compared using statistical and Kaplan-Meier analyses.
Results
Seventy-eight children had 33 primary PEF and 45 primary LFP procedures with a median follow-up of 2.21 and 2.52 years respectively. Demographic and disease severity indicators were similar between groups (p>0.05).
The overall recurrence rate in each cohort was 3% for PEF and 11% for LFP respectively (p = 0.2346). The all-cause repeat intervention rate was 12% and 49% in the PEF and LFP cohorts respectively (p = 0.0007). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a reduction in the requirement of re-operation in the PEF cohort (p = 0.0340).
Operative time was significantly decreased in the PEF cohort compared to the LFP cohort (p <0.0001). Wound dehiscence was significantly decreased in the PEF cohort compared to the LFP cohort (3% vs 31%; p = 0.0026).
Conclusion
This 14-year study is the largest paediatric-focussed cohort utilising PEF to manage PSD and demonstrated clinically relevant decreases in symptom recurrence alongside significantly decreased rates of complications and further surgical intervention compared to traditional LFP techniques. We conclude that PEF is a viable minimally invasive technique in the management of paediatric PSD.
Muscone Inhibits Angiotensin II–induced Cardiac Hypertrophy Through the STAT3, MAPK and TGF-β/SMAD Signaling Pathways
Authors: Liu Yi-jiang , Xu Jia-jia , Yang Cui , Li Yan-ling , Chen Min-wei , Liu Shi-xiao , Zheng Xiang-hui , Luo Ping , Li Rui , Xiao Di , Shan Zhong-gui
Published: August 2023

Context: Muscone is a chemical monomer derived from musk. Although many studies have confirmed the cardioprotective effects of muscone, the effects of muscone on cardiac hypertrophy and its potential mechanisms are unclear.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of muscone on angiotensin (Ang) II-induced cardiachypertrophy.
Materials and methods: The viability of H9C2 and AC16 cells was assessed by CCK8 assay. The expression of proteins was evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Echocardiographic paraments were obtained by a Visual sonics high resolution Vevo 2100 system. H&E staining was used to assess myocardial structural changes. Masson trichrome staining was used to assess degree of fibrosis. Serum Biochemical Indexes were detected by automatic chemistry analyzer.
Results: In the present study, we found for the first time that muscone exerted inhibitory effects on Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac injury in mice. Secondly, we showed that muscone attenuated cardiac injury by reducing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and promoting the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, we found that muscone exerted cardioprotective effects by inhibiting phosphorylation of key proteins in the STAT3, MAPK and TGF-β/SMAD pathways. In addition, the in vivo and in vitro validation found no significant toxicity or side effects of muscone on normal cells and organs.
Discussion and conclusions: Muscone could attenuate Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, in part, by inhibiting the STAT3, MAPK, and TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathways.
Investigation on the volatiles and aromatic characteristic of Raw Pu-erh tea with different storage durations by headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and odor activity value analysis
Authors: Guo Jie , Yu Zhihao , Liu Meiyan , Guan Mengdi , Shi Aiyun , Hu Yongdan , Li Siyu , Ren Dabing , Yi Lunzhao
Published: August 2023

Volatile constituents are critical to the flavor of tea, but the changes of them in Raw Pu-erh tea (RAPT) during storage have not been clearly understood. This work aimed to investigate the volatile composition and their changes of RAPT at various storage durations. The volatile profile of RAPT was determined using headspace solid-phase microextraction in combination gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 130 volatile compounds were identified in RAPT samples, and 64 of them were shared by all samples. The aroma attributes of RAPT over a storage period ranging from 0 to 10 years were assessed through the integration of odor activity value, aroma characteristic influence value and multivariate statistical. The results revealed that RAPT highlighted a distinct floral and fruity aroma profile after storage for approximately 3 - 4 years. Furthermore, a notable shift in aroma was observed after 5 and 10 years of storage. According to the odor activity value (≥ 100), eight volatile compounds were revealed as the key compounds to the aroma of RAPT during storage. These compounds include linalool, α-terpineol, geraniol, trans-𝛽-ionone, α-ionone, (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal, 1-octanol, and octanal. The findings of this study offer a scientific foundation and valuable insights for understanding the quality of RAPT during storage.
On the Thermal Hysteresis Behavior of Encapsulated Latent Heat Storage with Various Geometry
Authors: Ali Farooq Hassan , Hamzah Hameed Kadhem , Alhattab Tahssen , Hayder Abdul-Mohsin , Ajarostaghi Seyed
Published: August 2023

In this work, thermal hysteresis of PCM inside different encapsulated configuration (circle, triangle and square) during melting and solidification processes are investigated numerically. Charging and discharging of a latent heat storage during unsteady complex phenomena was simulated numerically using finite element method. The results indicate that time elapsed was minimum for triangular encapsulated configuration and maximum time for circular encapsulated configuration for both melting and solidification process. The time of thermal hysteresis of melting and solidification process decreased with the increasing Ryleigh number for all encapsulated configuration. Circular encapsulated configuration having higher latent heat storage than triangular and square encapsulated configurations, while circular encapsulated configuration has minimum.