bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The oral glucose tolerance test and short-term adverse outcomes among patients with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Geng Xin-ran , Li Jin-yan , Zeng Qian , Xu Guanying , Jia Bo , Wang Gui-jie , Zhou Xin-yu , Zhang Di , Li Fu-qiang
Published: April 2023

Objective To investigate the relationship between oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) findings and short-term adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Methods We retrospectively collected 387 cases of pregnant womenwith gestational diabetes mellitus from 2020 to 2021 at the Maternity & Child Care Center of Dezhou and analyzed laboratory results. According to OGTT values, patients were divided into three groups, and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed; these included gestational weight gain, gestational hypertension, cesarean section, preterm birth, dead fetus, fetal distress, fetal growth restriction, congenital disabilities, macrosomia, and low birth weight. In group 1, 277 patients had abnormal OGTT values, and short-term adverse outcomes were studied.
Results Three abnormal OGTT points were accompanied by significant gestational weight gain, gestational hypertension incidence, and low birth weight incidence; the risks of cesarean section and preterm birth increased. Abnormal fasting plasma glucose was associated with gestational hypertension.
Conclusion OGTT findings can be used to alert clinicians to short-term adverse outcomes in mothers and infants. Clinicians should be aware of abnormal OGTT findings.
Multi-orbit Lunar GNSS Constellation Design with Distant Retrograde Orbit and Halo Orbit Combination
Authors: Wang K , Li Kezhao , Lv Shuaikang , Jiao YingXiang , Shen Yunyan , Yue Zhe , Xu Keke
Published: April 2023

The Moon is the closest natural planet to mankind, with valuable resources on it, and is an important base station for mankind to enter deep space. How to establish a reasonable lunar Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to provide real-time positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services for moon exploration and development has become a hot spot for many international scholars. Based on the special spatial configuration characteristics of Libration point orbits (LPOs), the coverage capability of Halo orbits and Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) in LPOs is discussed and analyzed in detail. It is concluded that the Halo orbit with a period of 8 days has a better coverage effect on the lunar polar regions and the DRO has a more stable coverage effect on the lunar equatorial regions, and the multi-orbital lunar GNSS constellation with the optimized combination of DRO and Halo orbits is proposed by combining the advantages of both. This multi-orbital constellation can make up for the fact that a single type of orbit requires a larger number of satellites to fully cover the Moon, using a smaller number of satellites for the purpose of providing PNT services to the entire lunar surface. The design of the multi-orbital lunar GNSS constellation meeting the requirements of real-time positioning on the whole moon surface in two sets is given in combination with simulation calculations. The simulation experiment results show that the multi-orbital lunar GNSS constellation n combining DRO and Halo orbit can cover 100% of the moon surface, and there are more than 4 visible satellites at any time on the moon surface, which meets the navigation and positioning requirements, and the PDOP value is stable within 2.0, which can meet the demand for higher precision moon surface navigation and positioning.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice attenuates Rat Uterine Contractions
Authors: Al-Habib Omar A. M. , Adam Lina N.
Published: April 2023

Aim of the study: The effects of pomegranate juice and its components on uterine smooth muscle are unknown. Hence, this study aimed to determine the effects of pomegranate juice on the myometrium and investigate their mechanisms of action.Methods Rat uterine smooth muscle horn strips were suspended in organ baths containing Krebs solution. Contractions were measured isometrically using a transducer (AD instrument Australia). The effects of pomegranate juice were evaluated on contractile activity elicited by potassium chloride (KCl 60Mm) depolarization. Inhibitors of nitric oxide (L-NAME 3X10− 4), guanylate cyclase (methylene blue 1*10− 5) and Prostaglandin I2 (indomethacin 3X10− 5); in addition, Potassium Channels blockers, as well as calcium signaling pathways, were determined.Results The juice at concentrations from 1.5-5 mg/ml significantly decreased the rat uterine horn contraction induced by KCl. The inhibitors of NO, cGMP, and PGI2 produced no blocking effect on the relaxation response. Furthermore, the PGI2 inhibitor significantly enhanced the relaxation effects; K + channel blockers did not have any inhibitory effects on the relaxation responses. Contrarily, GLIB significantly improved relaxation. The L-type Ca2 + channel blocker prevented spontaneous contraction of the uterine.Conclusion These findings imply that the active ingredient in pomegranate juice can be used to reduce uterine contractions. Pomegranate juice's action demonstrated that it could aid in treating disorders with uterotonic effects. It may be useful in preventing preterm birth and menstrual cramps, but more research is needed to determine the mechanism of action.Trial registration Code: AEC-013. Registered 23 October 2015.
High-sensitivity temperature sensor based on photonic crystal fiber filled with ethanol and toluene
Authors: Li Haiping , Ruan Juan , Li Xin , Xu ZhangLiang , Wei Guangyong , He Tao , Luo Yang
Published: April 2023

A surface plasmon resonance photonic crystal fiber-based highly sensitive temperature sensor is proposed. The surface plasmon resonance is induced by injecting toluene into the central hole and ethanol into the side holes coated with gold film. The coupling mechanism and sensing performance of the proposed sensor are analyzed. The results indicate that in the sensing range of 0°C - 70 °C, the highest Figure of Merit (FOM) is 0.1169/°Cand the average temperature sensitivity can reach 7.13 nm/°C. The sensor's sensitivity is also very consistent across the entire detection range. Such temperature sensor exhibits tremendous potential in the domain of temperature detection.
Human clostridia improve visceral hypersensitivity in stressed mice through upregulation of 5-HT4
Authors: Xiao Yaodong , Miao Bei , Li Bowen , Li Li , Zhao Yanchao , Zhang Cheng , Fei Sujuan
Published: April 2023

Human clostridia play a very important role in the human gastrointestinal tract. In this study, an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) model was established using the water avoidance stress (WAS) method, Mice subjected to WAS were treated with saline, human clostridial solution (enriched with human clostridial cluster IV), prucalopride, the TPH antagonist PCPA or the 5-HT4 antagonist RS39604 for 1 week. TPH1, 5-HT4, PKA, CREB, and pCREB expression decreased in the distal colon and hippocampus of WAS mice, colonic SLC6A4 expression decreased and hippocampal SLC6A4 expression increased, and the number of 5-HT4-positive cells decreased. Human clostridia treatment was superior to the remaining treatments after 1 week; Clostridia-treated mice showed increased colonic and hippocampal expression of TPH1 and 5-HT4 signaling pathway-related proteins, increased colonic expression of SLC6A4, decreased hippocampal SLC6A4 expression, and increased numbers of 5-HT4-positive colonic cells. The use of PCPA or RS39604 influenced the effect of bacterial solution treatment, and human clostridia elevated fecal isovaleric acid levels. In conclusion, human clostridia improved visceral hypersensitivity by upregulating 5-HT4 signaling protein expression in the distal colon and hippocampus, demonstrating its therapeutic potential.
Psychological safety and self-regulated learning through near-peer learning for the sustainability of rural community-based medical education: grounded theory approach
Authors: Ohta Ryuichi , Sano Chiaki
Published: April 2023

Background Difficulties in improving psychological safety in medical education can be attributed to the hierarchy of medical professionals. Near-peer learning (NPL) can increase learning between students and residents and improve psychological safety. Rural community-based medical education (CBME) can use an NPL framework to improve psychological safety and compensate for the lack of resources, leading to sustainability. This qualitative study aimed to clarify the effects of NPL on the psychological safety and learning of medical trainees in rural CBME. It used a grounded theory approach.Methods Thirty-eight medical students, twelve second-year residents, and eight family medicine residents participated in this study. Purposive sampling was used to address the research purposes of ethnographic and semi-structured interviews.Results Three themes were identified: facilitating learning, change in perception, and change in learning. Rural NPL-based CBME drove learners’ engagement in clinical practice through constant participation and reflection. Respecting and supporting learners’ motivation and participation and effectively accepting them increased their sense of ownership and psychological safety. Furthermore, it supported participants in becoming self-regulated learners.Conclusions Rural CBMEs lack healthcare and educational resources, but implementing NPL could make rural medical education sustainable, increasing the motivation of healthcare students and the number of medical staff working in rural contexts.
Pulse filed ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with Mitral and carvotricuspid isthmus dependent atrial flutter
Authors: He Jialing , Yang Guoshu , Luo Duan , Yang Yongxin , He Guijun , Zhang Zhen
Published: April 2023

Pulsed field ablation(PFA) as an nonthermal ablative mechanism is proved to be effective and safe in clinical application. Up to now, PFA is only used for atrial fibrillation ablation in limited clinical trials. This article describes a case of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in which mitral and carvotricuspid isthmus dependented atrial flutter was discovered incidentally during PFA operation and successfully ablated with PFA. This is the first medical record of PFA for atrial fibrillation combined with mitral isthmus atrial flutter, marking the promise of PFA in the treatment of other various kind of arrhythmia, including mitral isthmus related arrhythmia which was previously considered to be challenging in traditional ablation method.
Online deadline-constrained scheduling of parallel applications in CPSs
Authors: Liu Yifan , Du Chenglie , Chen Jinchao , Du Xiaoyan
Published: April 2023

As a cutting-edge distributed intelligent system that seamlessly combines and collaborates between the information world and the physical world, cyber-physical systems (CPSs) possess vast practical applications. Given that CPSs are characterized by constant interaction with their surrounding environment, fluctuations in resource performance triggered by external changes present significant challenges for achieving optimal application scheduling. To harness the potential of heterogeneous and capacity-limited computing resources in CPSs, applications must be precisely modeled and allocated to resources to enhance their execution efficiency, even under uncertain conditions. Against this backdrop, this paper focuses on the online deadline-constrained scheduling problem of parallel applications and proposes a novel uncertainty-aware scheduling algorithm to schedule the applications in the changing environment. Firstly, parallel applications are expertly modeled as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), and a novel ranking methodology is employed to generate task priorities based on their urgency of completion. Subsequently, the optimal resources are meticulously chosen for each task to expedite execution, supplemented by a discarding mechanism to amplify the likelihood of successful application. Finally, the priority of tasks and resource status is updated based on environmental feedback to expertly tackle uncertainties. Experiments with randomly-generated applications conclusively demonstrate that the proposed approach boasts superior scheduling performance compared to similar algorithms.
Late presentation of traumatic tricuspid valve chordal rupture and pericardial rupture with cardiac herniation; a case report
Authors: Radovanovic Nebojsa , Prodanovic Maja , Radosavljevic-Radovanovic Mina , Bilbija Ilija , Petrovic Olga , Lojovic Nina , Kecman Emilija , Djekic Aleksandar , Radovanovic Milos , Matic Dragan
Published: April 2023

Background Although chest trauma happens very often, accompanying tricuspid valve injuries occur rarely and may be manifested by scarce symptoms and signs. Pericardial rupture with cardiac herniation is even bigger rarity. Transthoracic echocardiography plays a key role in diagnosis of valve injuries, but has limited value in cardiac herniation.Case presentation: We present the case of 58-year old man who experienced severe chest trauma in a car accident. Symptoms of right heart failure occurred 10 years after the injury, due to the loss of tricuspid leaflet support and significant tricuspid regurgitation. Intraoperatively, old posttraumatic pericardial rupture into left pleura was also found, with partial cardiac herniation and pressure of the edge of pericardium on coronary arteries (previously thought to be myocardial bridge, on coronary angiography).Conclusions This case emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and underlines a mechanism that leads to delayed rupture of the tricuspid valve apparatus. Repeated echocardiography in all patients who experienced chest trauma could be of great importance.
The number of peripheral blood Natural Killer cells cannot be applied as a therapeutic index for immunological abnormalities in unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage
Authors: Yan Niwei , Lee Pingyin , Jie Huiying , Yuan Yuan , Zhou Canquan
Published: April 2023

Background The role of autoantibodies in recurrent miscarriage (RM) is unclear. Commonly studied autoimmune markers in RM include anti-nuclear (ANA), thyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab), and anti-thyroid globulin antibodies (Tg-Ab) and peripheral blood natural killer (pbNK) cells. The correlation between autoimmune markers (TPO-Ab, Tg-Ab, ANA) and pbNK cells in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage (uRM) is unexamined. Because NK cells are associated with the adaptive immune response, we hypothesized that the change in pbNK cell number might be a result of the immune response to autoimmunity in women with RM rather than a cause of RM. We aimed to explore whether the pbNK count is significantly different in women testing positive than in those testing negative for autoantibodies.
Methods The clinical data and performed pbNK cell measurements of patients who visited the specialist clinic for RM of the First Affiliated Hospital between May 2014 and August 2021 were analyzed. Eligible patients were divided into two groups: High-pbNK group (n=118) and Normal-pbNK group (n=184).
Results The positive rates of TPO-Ab in High-pbNK group were significantly higher than in Normal-pbNK group (20.3% vs. 10.9%, p=0.04), and the positive rates of ANA in Normal-pbNK group were significantly higher than in High-pbNK group (22.3% vs. 11.9%, p=0.02). There was a statistically significant positive association between TPO-Ab positivity and high pbNK cells (p=0.016, OR=5.097, 95% CI 1.356–19.159), while there was a statistically significant negative association between ANA positivity and high pbNK cells (p=0.013, OR=0.293, 95% CI 0.111–0.773).
Conclusion Our results indicated that changes in pbNK cell count are a result of the miscarriage-associated autoimmune response rather than a causal factor for RM. Hence, the increased number of pbNK cells cannot be applied as a therapeutic index for immunological abnormalities in patients with uRM.
Effect of fracture level on the residual fracture gap during tibial intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fractures
Authors: Albayrak Kutalmis , Misir Abdulhamit , Alpay Yakup , Buyuk Abdul Fettah , Akpinar Evren , Gursu Sukru Sarper
Published: April 2023

Background
The development of fracture gap during intramedullary nailing in tibial fractures is associated with poor fracture fragment contact and increased time to union and complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the fracture level in the development of fracture gap and the effect of the fracture gap on pain, radiologic and functional outcomes, and complication rate.
Methods
A total of 45 patients who underwent reamed intramedullary nailing due to closed transverse or short oblique tibial shaft fractures were divided into the proximal fracture group and distal fracture group. The correlations between visual analog scale (VAS) score, modified radiograph union score for tibias (RUST), and postoperative 1-year lower extremity functional scale scores, fracture level, gap amount, and time to union were evaluated.
Results
The mean fracture gap amounts in the immediate postoperative anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were 5.6 ± 1.7 and 6.0 ± 1.7 mm in proximal fractures and 0.3 ± 2.4 mm and 0.4 ± 2.3 mm in distal fractures, respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean time to union was 21.9 ± 2.9 weeks in the proximal fracture group and 16.7 ± 2.4 weeks in the distal fracture group (p < 0.000). The fracture gap amount significantly correlated with the level of fracture (r = 0.811, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Tibial shaft fractures proximal to the isthmus level tend to develop significantly larger fracture gap than distal fractures. It is associated with increased time to union and radiographic union scores as well as slightly higher complication and reoperation rates.
Level of Evidence Level III, prognostic
MapReduce-enhanced Fuzzy K-Least Medians for Qualitative Clustering of Document Big Data
Authors: Sardar Tanvir Habib , Ansari Zahid Ahmed , Theerthagiri Prasannavenkatesan , Karthikeyan P.
Published: April 2023

Researchers design MapReduce-enhanced versions of traditional clustering algorithms to obtain the time performance benefit in big data clustering. However, the current literature shows that only a handful of partitioning clustering algorithms are enhanced using the MapReduce model. This work proposes a MapReduce-enhanced design of the Fuzzy K-Least Medians algorithm (MRFK-LstMdns) and its two novel variations. The purpose is to determine the best-performing MapReduce-enhanced partitioning clustering algorithms, among the proposed and existing ones, in terms of time performance and cluster quality. The work first preprocesses different sized self crawled document datasets. Then an optimal noise removal process is employed to make the dataset optimally noise free. The proposed MRFK-LstMdns and its two novel variations are designed using three MapReduce job chaining. Each of the jobs performs the staged and suitable algorithmic parts. The time performance and cluster quality of the proposed algorithms are compared against the existing MapReduce-enhanced partitioning algorithms. Although the proposed algorithm's time complexity is higher than the existing algorithms, the suitable chained MapReduce job design of the proposed algorithms makes them consume existing algorithms like execution time. A majority voting technique using seven cluster quality measures shows that the MRFK-LstMdns generates better quality clusters than existing algorithms.
Pathophysiological changes in incentive processing in episodic migraine
Authors: Li Yansong , Chen Guoliang , Liu Cuihong , Ding Weiyan , Wang Zixiang , Derrington Edmund , Zhang Bing
Published: April 2023

Background Multiple lines of research suggests that dysregulation in the dopaminergic system may contribute to migraine pain. However, it is only in recent years that researchers have begun to investigate this by exploring how the system is dysregulated during incentive processing in migraineurs. Still little is known about the pathophysiological changes in incentive processing along the temporal scale in migraineurs. Therefore, the present study examined migraine-related changes in neural processing implicated in incentive anticipation and its delivery.Methods A total of 19 episodic migraine (EM) patients (mean age = 31.95 ± 1.42, 17 females) and 19 healthy controls (HCs) (mean age = 30.16 ± 0.98, 16 females) underwent a monetary incentive delay (MID) task, while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in their brains.Results Electrophysiologically, during the incentive anticipation phase, both Cue-N2 and Cue-P3 amplitudes were of higher magnitude for the reward-anticipation and punishment-anticipation cues compared to the control cue across both groups. This indicates no significant differences in neural activity supporting incentive/no incentive cue evaluation between groups. During the outcome phase, the amplitude of the FRN, an ERP component related to performance evaluation, was significantly larger for punishing feedback than rewarding feedback across both groups. However, the Feedback-P3 amplitude, an ERP component related to attentional processing of motivational value of outcome feedback, was significantly larger for rewarding feedback than punishing feedback in HCs, but not in EM patients. Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between the Feedback-P3 amplitude difference for rewarding minus punishing feedback and subjective pain intensity measured by the VAS in EM patients. Finally, the amplitude of the Feedback-LPP, an ERP component related to attentional processing of the affective value of outcome feedback, was significantly larger for punishing feedback than rewarding feedback only in HCs, but not in EM patients.Conclusions Our findings suggest that pathophysiological changes in incentive processing may act as a core mechanism underlying migraine pathophysiology. This study may also provide sensitive and reliable biomarkers for evaluating the efficacy of migraine therapeutics.
A web-based prediction model for early death in patients with metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: a SEER database analysis
Authors: Pan Wen-kai , Ren Si-yan , Zhu Liao-xiang , Lin Bao-chai
Published: April 2023

Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2). This subtype of breast cancer is known for its high aggressiveness, high metastatic potential, a tendency for recurrence, and poor prognosis. Patients with metastatic TNBC (mTNBC) have a poorer prognosis and a higher likelihood of early death (survival time ≤3 months). Therefore, the development of effective individualized survival prediction tools, such as prediction nomograms and web-based survival calculators, is of great importance for predicting the probability of early death in patients with metastatic TNBC.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with mTNBC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015 were included in the model construction. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with early death in patients with mTNBC, and predictive prognostic nomograms were constructed. The accuracy of the nomograms was verified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and GiViTi Calibration belt plots were used to evaluate the model consistency. The clinical applicability of the nomograms was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA). Based on the predictive prognostic nomograms, a network survival rate calculator was developed for individualized survival prediction in patients with mTNBC.
Results: A total of 2,230 patients diagnosed with mTNBC were included in the SEER database for this study. After strict exclusion criteria, 1,428 patients were found to be eligible for the study. All the patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort in a ratio of7:3. Independent risk factors for mTNBC, including age, tumor size, brain metastasis, liver metastasis, surgery, and chemotherapy, were identified and integrated to construct the prediction nomogram and survival calculator. Results of ROC curves, calibration curves, and DCA curves from the training and validation cohort confirmed that the developed nomogram and web-based survival calculator in this study could accurately predict the probability of early death in patients with mTNBC.
Conclusion: In this study, we developed a reliable prediction nomogram and web-based survival calculator for predicting the probability of early death in patients with mTNBC. These tools can assist clinical physicians in identifying high-risk patients and developing personalized treatment plans as early as possible.
Oral findings as a clinical tool to differentiate between lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis patients
Authors: Robles-Silva Christian , Barrio-Díaz Pablo Del , Reyes-Vivanco Carlos , Salgueiro Catalina , Poblete María José , Abarzúa Álvaro , Vera-Kellet Cristián
Published: April 2023

Background Dermatomyositis (DM) patients are frequently misdiagnosed as having lupus erythematosus. There are few tools to differentiate between these diseases.Objective To compare oral findings between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), and DM patients to explore new clinical tools that allow differentiating between these conditions.Methods We conducted an observational, transversal, and analytical study between 2016 and 2021. One hundred sixty-seven patients were included (77 SLE, 56 CLE, and 34 DM). All patients who presented with more than one of these diseases simultaneously were excluded. All patients had a clinical evaluation of the oral cavity. We obtained photographs of the tongue, hard and soft palate, upper and lower gingiva, and jugal mucosa. Three dermatologists, blinded to the diagnosis of the diseases studied, registered the presence of the lesions of interest.Results The presence of brown pigmentation in the gingiva, whitish streaks in the jugal mucosa, palatal cobblestones, and gingival cobblestones were associated with SLE and CLE when compared with DM patients. Palatal cobblestones were present exclusively in patients with SLE and CLE. Gingival telangiectasias were associated with DM when compared with SLE, and palatal telangiectasias and well-defined palatal lesions were associated with DM when compared with SLE and CLE. Most DM patients presented palatal telangiectasias (94.12%), while this finding in SLE and CLE patients was infrequent (7.79% and 5.36%, respectively).Conclusion Oral findings can help differentiate between SLE, CLE, and DM patients when there is a diagnostic dilemma between these conditions.
Dihydroartemisinin Inhibits Restenosis After Balloon Angioplasty via the CircHSPA4/miR-19a-5p Axis
Authors: Huang Renping , xing Wenjing , Wang wenjing
Published: April 2023

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) inhibits restenosis following balloon angioplasty. However, data on the mechanisms of DHA activity in restenosis remains scant. Here, we investigated the role of circRNAs in mediating the inhibitory activity of DHA in neointimal formation. We used total RNA sequencing data to profile the expression of mRNA, circRNA and small RNA in sham, vascular balloon injury (VBI) and DHA-treated groups. CCK8 and EdU assays were employed to analyze cell proliferation, while qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to analyze the RNA or protein expression. In addition, we used RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay to assess the binding of circHSPA4 with miR-19a-5p. RNA sequencing demonstrated that circHSPA4 was upregulated in VBI. Treatment with DHA effectively suppressed the upregulation of the circHSPA4. In addition, analysis of platelet-derived growth family factor bb (PDGFbb)-induced HA-VSMCs showed upregulation of circHSPA4, which was associated with cell proliferation and differentiation. CircHSPA4 was shown to induce dedifferentiation and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. PDGFBB-induced overexpression of CircHSPA4 in HA-VSMCs led to suppression of miR-19a-5p, a phenomenon that was reversed by DHA, in concentration-dependent fashion. In addition, miR-19a-5p reduced the dedifferentiation and proliferation of the smooth muscle cells. Our data demonstrated that CircHSPA4 regulates proliferation and differentiation of smooth muscle cells. DHA and miR-19a-5p modulates CircHSPA4 and can be used as coated drugs on balloon catheter to improve the success rate of vascular remodeling.
Preparation of a series of highly efficient porous adsorbent PGMA- N and its application in the co-removal of Cu(II) and sulfamethoxazole from water
Authors: Sun Shishu , Zhang Xiaopeng , Zhang Yan , Sun Tianyi , Zhu Linhua , Shi Zaifeng , Zhang Dashuai
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a highly efficient porous adsorbent PGMA-N prepared through a series of amination reactions between polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) and different polyamines. The obtained polymeric porous materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area test (BET), and elemental analysis (EA). Thereinto, the PGMA-EDA porous adsorbent exhibited excellent ability to synergistically remove Cu(II) ions and sulfamethoxazole from aqueous solutions. Moreover, we studied the effects of pH, contact time, temperature, and pollutant initial concentration on the adsorption performance of the adsorbent. The experimental results showed that the adsorption process of Cu(II) followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity of PGMA-EDA for Cu(II) ions was 0.794 mmol/g. These results indicate that PGMA-EDA porous adsorbent has great potential for application in treating wastewater coexisting with heavy metals and antibiotics.
Biophysical and Amyloid Behaviour of a Recombinant Rab1 Isoform of Leishmania Donovani
Authors: Roshanara Roshanara , MUTHU SHIVANI , Gulafsha Gulafsha , Tandon Rati , Selvapandiyan Angamuthu , Ahmad Basir
Published: April 2023

The most lethal form of leishmaniasis in mammals _ kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. The several phases of infection and life cycle of the parasite are regulated by Rab proteins, a small GTPase subfamily. This study uses biophysical methods to describe the pH-moderated solution characteristics of a recombinant Rab1 isoform from L. donovani (rLdRab1). The isoform unfolds on lowering the solution pH in a non-two-state route, highlighting the potential for more than one folding intermediates. At pH 2.0, a partially folded intermediate (PFI) state accumulates and exhibits properties median to the molten and pre-molten globule states. At high protein concentrations the high amyloidogenic potential of this PFI induces slow transformation into distinct protofibrils. It was also noted that the native state of the isoform was aggregation-prone. Nevertheless, amorphous aggregation rather than fibrils was formed. This is the first work, to our knowledge, to describe the amyloid-like behaviour of Rab isoforms in L donovani in vitro. This research provides an unusual alternative to comprehend the full biophysical properties of the Rab1 isoforms in the lower eukaryote L. donovani.
Productive performance and economic viability of broiler chicks fed black soldier fly larvae meal-based diets
Authors: Adegbenro M. , Ayeni Akinlolu , Akintomide A. A , Atansuyi A. J. , Agbede J.O
Published: April 2023

Background
This study was conducted to investigate black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) as replacement for fish meal on productive performance and economic viability of broiler chicks. During processing, the live larvae were poured into heated water and stirred for about 3 – 5 minutes. Filtered larvae were spread on nylon for solar drying to minimum moisture content. Dried larvae were then milled. Two hundred and fifty Cobb 500 breed day-old chicks were randomly allotted at 50 chicks per treatment of 5 replicates using performance and cost implication as response criteria in a Completely Randomized Design. The BSFLM was used to replace fish meal at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% and designated diets I, II, III, IV and V, respectively. The respective diets were fed to the chicks ad libitum from 1 – 21 days.
Results
Among all the growth parameters measured, only the total feed consumed was significantly (P≤0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments. Highest total feed consumed (620.79g) and lowest total feed consumed (562.34g) were recorded in chicks fed diets I and III, respectively. Highest final weight (643.67g) and highest weight gain (602.92g) were recorded in chicks fed diet I. The net profit/started chicks was highest in chicks fed diet V. Generally, the net profit/started chicks increased as the level of BSFLM increased in the diets.
Conclusions
From this study, the replacement of fish meal with BSFLM in the diets of broiler chicks could help to reduce the over dependence of broiler producers on importation of fish meal.
Chaîne opératoires and Communities of practice in local ceramic production at Iron Age Monte Iato (Sicily, 6 th -5 th century BCE)
Authors: Öhlinger Birgit , Tenconi Marta , Maritan Lara , Montana Giuseppe , Roppa Andrea
Published: April 2023

The study focuses on the reconstruction of the chaîne opératoires of Iron Age pottery production at Monte Iato (Sicily, southern Italy), in terms of clay deposits selection, raw material processing and firing technology. A set of 76 specimens from the central cult place of the site (600-450 BCE) and belonging to functional categories of serving and consumption of food and drinks, food preparation, cooking and storage were analyzed using macroscopic, mineralogic and petrographic methods. As proxy data, the results deepen our insights into local potters’ technologies and choices by revealing varied and multi-layered communities of practice determined by corresponding ceramic manufacture processes. These do differ in regards of raw material procurement, clay processing as well as firing techniques but at the same time are in some extent linked together through the constant use of grog as temper – a practice detectable over the entire use of the cult site of over 100 years.
Enhancing Libyan Students' Productive Skills through Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL): Impacts on Writing and Speaking
Authors: ABDELATY SULIMAN
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the effects of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) on the writing and speaking skills of Libyan students. The study evaluates the efficacy of CALL in enhancing Libyan students' productive language abilities and explores how technology-based learning can contribute to overcoming the challenges faced by traditional methods in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The study employs a mixed-methods approach, involving quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. The findings reveal significant improvements in students' writing and speaking skills and highlight the potential of CALL as an effective teaching approach in the Libyan EFL context.
COVID-19 Knowledge, Message Perceptions and Behaviors among Pregnant and Postpartum Women During the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States
Authors: Brown Kyrah K. , Igenoza Oluwatosin , Gupta Shuchika , Pierre Claudy Jean , Anaman Zoe
Published: April 2023

Objectives: This study examined the factors associated with COVID-19 knowledge, perceptions of COVID-19 messaging related to the perinatal population, and examined the association between COVID-19 knowledge and adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors among pregnant and postpartum women during the first wave of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in the United States.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey. A convenience sample of pregnant and postpartum women (18-49) were recruited from across the United States between April and June 2020—during the first wave of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Of the 584 participants, 22.8% correctly answered all COVID-19 knowledge questions and 85.8% correctly identified the primary COVID-19 symptoms. Participants with at least one chronic health condition (aOR=0.60, 95% CI=0.39, 0.94) and who were unmarried (aOR=, 95% CI=0.43, 0.93) had a lower odds of correctly answering COVID-19 knowledge questions. Sixty-two percent of participants reported COVID-19 messaging was consistent and 43.3% of participants reported being able to find enough COVID-19 information or resources for pregnant or postpartum women. Participants had high levels of adherence to preventive behaviors. Participants who avoided hosting small gatherings during stay-at-home orders were two time as likely to correctly answer COVID-19 knowledge questions (aOR=, (95% CI=1.15,3.66).
Discussion: The findings underline the importance of prioritizing tailored educational and care needs among pregnant and postpartum people as early as possible during a global health emergency.
Gender-neutral perceptions and toy purchasing behaviour: a socio-cultural transition in UK Millennials’ attitudes
Authors: Oe Hiroko , Yamaoka Yasuyuki
Published: April 2023

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of gender-neutral parenting. The main purpose of the research is to investigate UK Millennial parents’ perceptions of gender-neutral parenting and their toy buying behaviour. Systematization of the literary sources and approaches for solving the problem of confusion between gender-neutral and gender-oriented parenting with a focus on children’s toys’ labelling, indicates that even with the subjective norm and strong initiatives of UK government who has been launching campaigns against gender-oriented parenting, still there has not agreed on the best solution for implementing gender-neutral mindset. Investigation of the topic of the research in the paper is carried out in the following logical sequence: introduction with research gap, literature review, methodology, findings and analysis, and conclusion. Methodological tools of the research were quantitative approach with SPSS ver.26. The object of research is the survey dataset collected from 1127 UK Millennial parents. The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis using Kruskal–Wallis test depending on children’s gender, parents’ birth years, and regression model. The result showed that, although there is recognition that gender-neutral parenting should be advocated as a social rule, the degree of final purchase behaviour towards gender-neutral toys is lower than these parents’ beliefs would suggest. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that at least UK Millennials believe in the gender-free theory, however, their real behaviour does not necessarily go abide by the perceived rule. In other words, while people may agree with the concept of gender-neutral parenting, they do not necessarily agree with gender-neutral parenting as a behavioural principle. The results of the research can be useful for developing further social recognition of gender-naturalness, and other relevant industrial marketing strategies.
Rhizo-Creation of Second-Language Teachers’ Capacity for Technological Integration
Authors: Bangou Francis
Published: April 2023

This article puts to use the work of Deleuze and Guattari to build new knowledge and understanding associated with the circumstantial nature of becoming a technology-capable language teacher through experimentations with/in the agencements of an ongoing research project associated with the design and delivery of a 12-week online graduate course in computer-assisted language learning (CALL). Methodologically, data collection encompassed participants’ assignments, semi-structured interviews, course materials, and researcher’s journal. Moreover, rhizoanalysis was deployed to map change and potentialities in teachers’ becoming. Scholarly contributions to the fields of technology, learning, and teacher education relate to re-theorizing the role and effect of human, expressive, and material elements in teacher education in CALL, as well as developing new methodologies to research micro-level singularities and emergent potentialities for teaching and learning with/in teacher education.
Canadian Faculty Members’ Hopes and Anxieties About the Near-Future of Higher Education
Authors: Veletsianos George , Johnson Nicole
Published: April 2023

Higher education worldwide is facing several challenges spanning from economic, social, technological, demographic, environmental, to political tensions. Calls to rethink, reimagine, and reform higher education to respond to such challenges are ongoing, and need to be informed by a wide variety of stakeholders. To inform such efforts, we interviewed thirty-seven faculty members at Canadian colleges and universities to develop a greater understanding of their hopes and anxieties about the future of higher education as they considered what higher education may look like five years into the future. Results centred on four themes: (1) anxieties and hopes are shaped by supports and resources from various sources, (2) faculty members face anxiety over matters that negatively impact them but are beyond their control, (3) faculty members hope that “good” comes from the COVID-19 pandemic, and (4) faculty members hope for a well-rounded education that will enable students to succeed both within and beyond their careers. Implications for these findings suggest a need to direct research efforts and practices toward more hopeful futures for higher education, especially in the context of online and blended learning.
Penerapan Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19 di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Samarinda
Authors: Muliyana
Published: April 2023

The implementation of the education policy during the emergency period of the spread of Covid-19 requires that students are prohibited from congregating at school, while the learning process must continue with distance learning. Learning can be done online as well as offline for students who cannot access the internet. The purpose of this study was to determine the application of distance learning during the Covid-19 pandemic at MI Ar-Rahmah Samarinda and the supporting and inhibiting factors in implementing distance learning faced by teachers and students at MI Ar-Rahmah Samarinda. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach. Sources of data in this study were teachers, students, parents, and lesson plans. Data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, and documentation. Data validity with source and technique triangulation. The data analysis technique used is data condensation, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the study show that the application of distance learning at MI Ar-Rahmah Samarinda is carried out online by sending learning videos in WhatsApp class groups and offline learning by visiting students' homes but only for Arabic and Mathematics subjects because it is difficult to understand when done offline. on line. The teacher uses a 1 sheet RPP in the implementation of learning using learning video media with the method of delivering material by lecture and question and answer, and evaluation by giving an assessment of the assignments in the LKS after learning. Supporting factors in implementing a distance learning at MI Ar-Rahmah Samarinda are textbooks/LKS, internet data packages, and collaboration between teachers and parents. Then the inhibiting factors in the application of learning are inadequate facilities and infrastructure, difficulties in understanding the subject matter, lack of understanding of children's character, lack of parental cooperation in children's assignments, and children who are less enthusiastic about learning at home.
Machine learning and LHC event generation
Authors: Butter Anja , Plehn Tilman , Schumann Steffen , Badger Simon , Caron Sascha , Cranmer Kyle , Di Bello Francesco Armando , Dreyer Etienne , Forte Stefano , Ganguly Sanmay , Gonçalves Dorival , Gross Eilam , Heimel Theo , Heinrich Gudrun , Heinrich Lukas , Held Alexander , Höche Stefan , Howard Jessica N. , Ilten Philip , Isaacson Joshua , Janßen Timo , Jones Stephen , Kado Marumi , Kagan Michael , Kasieczka Gregor , Kling Felix , Kraml Sabine , Krause Claudius , Krauss Frank , Kröninger Kevin , Barman Rahool Kumar , Luchmann Michel , Magerya Vitaly , Maitre Daniel , Malaescu Bogdan , Maltoni Fabio , Martini Till , Mattelaer Olivier , Nachman Benjamin , Pitz Sebastian , Rojo Juan , Schwartz Matthew , Shih David , Siegert Frank , Stegeman Roy , Stienen Bob , Thaler Jesse , Verheyen Rob , Whiteson Daniel , Winterhalder Ramon , Zupan Jure
Published: April 2023

First-principle simulations are at the heart of the high-energy physics research program. They link the vast data output of multi-purpose detectors with fundamental theory predictions and interpretation. This review illustrates a wide range of applications of modern machine learning to event generation and simulation-based inference, including conceptional developments driven by the specific requirements of particle physics. New ideas and tools developed at the interface of particle physics and machine learning will improve the speed and precision of forward simulations, handle the complexity of collision data, and enhance inference as an inverse simulation problem.
Pay disparity, investment in internal control personnel, and a firm’s investment inefficiency: Korean evidence
Authors: Yoon Inkyung , Choi Dongjoon , Lee Hansol
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between pay disparity and a company’s investment inefficiency, and to explore the moderating influence of investment in internal control personnel on this relationship. The global concern over pay disparity has intensified as executive compensation soars to unparalleled heights, while employee wages remain static. Utilizing a fixed-effect regression model and analyzing 5,407 observations from Korean listed companies between 2018 and 2020, the study shows a positive association between pay disparity (coef = 0.034, p-value < 0.01) and investment inefficiency, with pay disparity increasing the level of investment inefficiency by fostering overinvestment. Furthermore, the study shows that the interaction term between pay disparity and quantitative (coef = –0.246, p-value < 0.01) and qualitative (coef = –2.104, p-value < 0.01) investments in internal control personnel is negative and significant, indicating that the positive link between pay disparity and investment inefficiency is lessened when there is a higher quantitative and qualitative investment in internal control personnel. By offering a more comprehensive understanding of the conflicting evidence about the impact of pay disparity and the role of investment in internal control personnel in moderating the negative effect of pay disparity on investment efficiency, this study contributes to the existing literature. The findings of the study suggest that companies aiming to minimize investment inefficiency should consider not only addressing pay disparity but also investing in internal control personnel.