bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abrasive challenge effects on enamel and dentin from irradiated human teeth: an in vitrostudy
Authors: Arid Juliana , Palma-Dibb Regina Guenka , Oliveira Harley Francisco , Faraoni Juliana Jendiroba , Paula-Silva Francisco Wanderley Garcia , Lima Ricardo Barbosa , Furtado Taíssa Cássia de Souza , Nelson-Filho Paulo , Macedo Leandro Dorigan , Queiroz Alexandra Mussolino
Published: March 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate wear and surface roughness of in vivo irradiated human enamel and dentin after abrasive challenge.
Methods: Using teeth donated by healthy patients or with head and neck cancer who received radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT), 42 enamel and dentin specimens were made, divided into three groups: control, RT and CRT (n = 14 in each group, both for enamel and dentin). The specimens were submitted to an in vitroexperimental abrasive using a brushing machine and wear and surface roughness were evaluated.
Results: In enamel specimens, wear profile values of CRT and RT groups were not different from control (p-value >0.05). The RT group presents lower step values than CRT and control groups (p-value <0.001). No significant difference in final surface roughness was observed in all groups (p-value >0.05). In dentin specimens, no significant difference in wear profile and step was observed in all groups (p-value >0.05). However, CRT and RT groups present higher values in final surface roughness (p-value <0.001).
Conclusion: The exposure to ionizing radiation (associated or not to chemotherapy) influenced the surface roughness of dentin and the wear (step) of enamel after the in vitro abrasive challenge.
Trial registration: Ethical procedures were approved by the FORP/USP Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 61308416.4.0000.5419) and Hospital do Câncer de Barretos/Fundação Pio XII (CAAE: 61308416.4.3001.5437).
Clinical relevance: Considering probable effects of ionizing radiation on teeth structure, understanding the behaviour of enamel and dentin under physiological processes is important to prevent and treat adverse oral side effects related to radiotherapy.
A new Approach for Remaining Useful Life Prediction of Bearings Using 1D-Ternary Patterns with LSTM
Authors: AKÇAN Eyyüb , KAYA YILMAZ
Published: March 2023

Bearings are one of the components that frequently malfunction in mechanical systems and their failure directly affects the system's performance. Therefore, accurately predicting bearing failures helps personnel with maintenance planning and prevents unexpected failures. Data-driven prognostic techniques are commonly used to predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of high-speed bearings. RUL prediction relies on determining the fundamental relationship between bearing degradation and current health status, and its accuracy depends on the effectiveness of the features extracted from the bearing. In this study, a new approach has been proposed to predict the remaining life of bearings. Two different feature vectors, LOWER and UPPER, are obtained by applying the 1D-TP method to vibration signals, and RUL prediction is performed using LSTM. The proposed approach has been tested on a dataset obtained from the PRONOSTIA platform, and performance metrics such as MAE, RMSE, SMAPE, RA, and Score values have been determined. The results show that the 1D-TP + LSTM method helps to successfully predict the remaining life of bearings. As a result, accurate RUL assessment or reliability analysis will help personnel make appropriate maintenance decisions, prevent losses due to mechanical system damage, improve production safety, and prevent damage to the mechanical system.
Air Quality Impact from Petroleum Refinery at Sapugaskanda, Sri Lanka
Authors: Rajapakshe R. W.K. , Nishajanthani H.B.U. , Premasiri H. D.S. , Karunaratne S. , Athapattu B. C.L.
Published: March 2023

Being the single largest oil refinery in Sri Lanka and located in an area of mixed land use, the petroleum refinery at Sapugaskanda deserves proper investigation to evaluate the possible impacts on the ambient air quality in the surroundings. The objectives of this study were to (1) measure ambient air quality concerning sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) around the petroleum refinery during major shutdown and normal operation period of the refinery in 2018 (2) identify the compliance concerning the regulated limits (3) investigate the effect of refinery operation or shut down on the concentrations of air pollutants. The results were statistically analyzed. Active monitoring results indicated that normal operation of the refinery are not statistically significantly different from those during the refinery shutdown period (Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test; for SO2, W = 8, p = 0.094, NO2, W = 11, p = 0.062, O3, W = 7.5, p = 0.125). PM10 and PM2.5 indicated that the ambient concentrations during the refinery shutdown are statistically significantly higher than those during the normal operation period of the refinery (Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test; W = 1, p = 0.031). According to passive monitoring results, no statistically significant spatial variation of concentrations of SO2 was detected (One-way ANOVA F(4,25) = 1.28, p = 0.30). Temporal variation of concentrations of SO2 was also not statistically significant (One-way ANOVA F(5,24) = 0.44, p < 0.81). For NO2, statistically significant spatial variation of concentrations was not detected (One-way ANOVA F(4,25) = 2.55, p = 0.064). Temporal variation of concentrations of NO2 was also not statistically significant (One-way ANOVA F(5,24) = 0.86, p < 0.51). The measured concentrations were substantially lower than ambient air quality standards established by the Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka. The maximum concentrations were found 2 km away from the refinery and to the northeast. Air pollutant concentrations can be evaluated over long periods by using the monitoring procedure adopted in this study and hotspots of pollution can be identified. Identification of these hotspots may help to evaluate air quality and to execute proper action plans, especially in locations where industrial and urban pollution coexist.
Association of sarcopenia with osteoporosis in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Xu Ke , Feng Xiaozhen , Xu Zeru , Pan Yang , Zhang Ping , Zhu Hong
Published: March 2023

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) present a higher tendency to develop sarcopenia and osteoporosis compared with the normal population. Currently, osteoporosis screening has been frequently performed among T2DM patients, but sarcopenia screening is relatively less, and the association between the two diseases remains unclear. Herein, this study aims to determine the association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis in T2DM patients.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of 678 patients with T2DM in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. The bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass were measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning. The diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia referred to the consensus by the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS).
Result: Among T2DM patients, the proportion of the sarcopenia population complicated with osteopenia (38.9% vs. 33.7%) and osteoporosis (35.4% vs. 17.5%) was significantly higher than that of the non-sarcopenia population (P < 0.01). The BMD of the hip and femoral neck was positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), grip strength, and gait speed (P < 0.01). After adjusting all covariates, the association between sarcopenia and BMD showed odds ratios of 0.43 (95% CI:0.28-0.66) for the femoral neck and 0.49 (95% CI:0.32-0.73) for the hip.
Conclusions: The BMD of the hip and femoral neck in T2DM patients is related to sarcopenia-related indicators and represents an independent protective factor for sarcopenia.
Process scheduling analysis and dynamic optimization maintaining the operation margin for acetylene fixed-bed hydrogenation reactor
Authors: FuMing XIE , Luo Xiong-Lin
Published: March 2023

The full cycle operation optimization of acetylene hydrogenation reactor should be carried out rigidly according to the operation optimization scheme within the operation cycle. However, in the actual industrial process, for meeting the temporary process scheduling requirements, the acetylene hydrogenation reactor needs to temporarily adjust the operation strategy in the remaining operation cycle after running according to results of the dynamic optimization for a certain period, which brings more changes and challenges to the operation optimization problem. Based on the margin estimation and the control optimization framework of slowly-time-varying systems, the kind of full-cycle dynamic optimization problem in which the operation optimization scheme is temporarily changed during the operation cycle is researched in this paper.The methods of changing the operation optimization scheme include as follows: changed the operation cycle, maximized economic benefit and changed the optimization goal, maximized the operation cycle. In this paper, the effect of process scheduling change on the full-cycle optimization is analyzed by dynamic optimization model maintaining the operation margin, established the full-cycle scheduling optimization model, and the optimal scheduling strategy is obtained.
A distinctive subcortical functional connectivity pattern linking negative affect and treatment outcome in major depressive disorder
Authors: Si Tian-mei , Wu Yan-Kun , Su Yun-Ai , Zhu Lin-Lin , Yan Chao-Gan , Li Ji-Tao , Lin Jing-Yu , Chen Jingxu , Chen Lin , Li Ke , Stein Dan
Published: March 2023

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with functional disturbances in subcortical regions. However, little is known about how the subcortical functional network relates to depressive symptom profile and treatment outcome. In this study, we aimed to investigate associations among subcortical connectivity, clinical symptoms and antidepressant response in MDD using multivariate methods. Data for the present study were derived from the Towards Neurobiology-based Diagnosis and Treatment of Affective Disorders (TNDTAD), which is a naturalistic prospective study of mood disorders (NCT03294525). Medication-free participants with MDD (n = 135) underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan at baseline and completed posttreatment clinical assessment after 8 weeks of antidepressant monotherapy. We used partial least squares (PLS) analysis to explore associations between subcortical connectivity and symptom profile. Replication was undertaken in an independent sample (n = 74). We also investigated the association between the observed subcortical connectivity pattern and treatment outcome in the discovery sample. A distinctive subcortical connectivity pattern, critically involving dorsal striatum and thalamus, was associated with negative affect. This association was partly replicated in the independent sample. Lower composite functional connectivity score (reflecting the connectivity pattern) at baseline predicted greater symptom improvement after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment. The emphasis here on the role of dorsal striatum and thalamus consolidates prior work of subcortical connectivity in MDD. The findings provide insight into the pathogenesis of MDD, linking subcortical functional connectivity with negative affect. However, while connectivity pattern significantly predicted treatment outcome, the low odds ratio suggests that finding predictive biomarkers for depression remains an aspiration.
Sensitivity Analysis of Tsunami Heights to Shallow Bathymetric Resolution
Authors: Felix Raquel , Hubbard Judith , Wilson Kaya , Switzer Adam
Published: March 2023

We examined how variations in bathymetric resolution affect simulated coastal tsunamis. We used 1-m resolution LiDAR datasets to generate resampled bathymetries with 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, and 300 m resolutions, and added GEBCO data in the comparison. Tsunami waves offshore were generated by setting up an instantaneous rupture sourced from a hypothetical fault model. We used the COMCOT software to model tsunami propagation towards the coas. Using the 5 m bathymetry as the reference model, we observed that datasets with 10 – 50 m resolutions can reproduce tsunamis reasonably well. The maximum heights are overestimated by ≤5% or underestimated by ≤10%, and the first wave arrival time is ∼10%earlier than expected. Coarser bathymetries show an increasing trend of height underestimation, with the GEBCO model underestimating it by as much as 70%. Coarser bathymetries have more variable first wave arrival time, either ≤20% later or ≤10% earlier. Overall, a reasonably accurate result can be achieved using a bathymetric resolution in the 10 m – 50 m range, and is achievable with reasonable computational efficiency. This study highlights the importance of shallow bathymetry in the numerical modeling of tsunami propagation.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Non-Human Primate: Implantation Methodology, Characterization of Nerve Anatomy, Target Engagement and Behavioral Utility
Authors: Suminski Aaron J , Rajala Abigail Z , Birn Rasmus M , Mueller Ellie M , Malone Margaet E , Ness Jared P , Filla Caitlyn , Brunner Kevin , McMillan Allan B , Poore Samuel O , Williams Justin C , Murali Dhanabalan , Brzeczkowski Andrea , Hurley Samuel A. , Dingle Aaron M , Zeng Weifeng , Lake Wendell B , Ludwig Kip A , Populin Luis C
Published: March 2023

Background:
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is regularly used to treat a variety of neurological disorders that impact the central nervous system (CNS). There are, however, few large animal models that allow for detailed mechanistic studies of the effects of VNS on the CNS during behavior.
Methods:
To that end, we describe the anatomical organization, surgical methodology to implant VNS electrodes and characterization of target engagement/neural interface properties in a non-human primate (NHP) model of VNS that permits chronic stimulation over long periods of time. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of this preparation in low n, proof of concept behavioral and imaging experiments investigating the effects of VNS on the CNS.
Results:
VNS electrode impedance remained constant over months suggesting a stable interface. VNS elicited robust activation of the vagus nerve which resulted in decreases of respiration rate and/or partial pressure of carbon dioxide in expired air, but not changes in heart rate in both awake and anesthetized NHPs.
Conclusions:
We anticipate that this preparation will be very useful to study the mechanisms underlying the effects of VNS for the treatment of conditions such as epilepsy and depression, for which VNS is extensively used, as well as for the study of the neurobiological basis underlying higher order functions such as learning and memory.
Analysis of interaction mode of ideological and political flipped classroom based on deep learning algorithm and student feedback data
Authors: Botao Liu , Yanpeng Jin
Published: March 2023

By abstracting the input data using deep neural networks, we can obtain the distributed representation characteristics of related data. Compared with shallow neural network, deep neural network has stronger data representation ability. Deep learning promotes the deep research and practical application of machine learning. The continuous progress and development of society not only promote the new curriculum reform, but also put forward higher requirements for all kinds of talents. At this stage, students should learn how to maintain lifelong learning, and maintain the attitude of "learning is never too old". Therefore, the concept of deep learning in the educational world was born. Ideology and politics is a comprehensive subject, which requires students to solve problems independently. The content of ideology and politics is complex and diverse, and theory is closely combined with practice, so that students can find and analyze problems independently in the process of practice. Deep learning is manifested in higher-order thinking, that is, students should be self-conscious in learning, learn to closely discuss the problems in learning with people around them, and have the ability to criticize, question, integrate construction, transfer and apply in the learning process. Based on the deep learning algorithm, this paper uses relevant theories and educational practices for reference to analyze the interaction mode of ideological and political flipped classroom and student feedback data.
Screening of pathogenic genes of ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer by integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Chen Pan , Li Jie , Shi Jun , Lu Chen , Luo Qian , Yu Jun , Wang Wei
Published: March 2023

Background
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the high-risk pathogenic factors for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer (UC-CRC) remain unclear. Therefore, identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the evolution of UC-CRC from a predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM) perspective is of great significance.
Methods
CRC and UC datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Using R software and Perl, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both UC and CRC tissues were re-annotated and screened. The biological activities and signaling pathways involved in DEGs were investigated using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses. The STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct the gene interaction network.
Results
A total of 384 DEGs were selected for further investigation, and functional analysis revealed that inflammatory and immunological responses were crucial in the development of the two diseases. Moreover, the top 15 key genes involved in the UC-CRC were screened using cytoHubba, including IL1B, CXCL10, CCL20, MMP9, ICAM1, CCL4, CXCR1, MMP3, TLR2, PTGS2, IL1RN, IL6, COL1A2, TIMP1, and CXCL1.
Conclusion
The identification of these genes in the present study may provide a novel perspective for the prediction, prevention, and personalized medicine of UC and CRC patients.
Migraine Detection and Analysis Using Fuzzy Intelligent System
Authors: Narayan Ritushree , khatoon Naghma
Published: March 2023

Fuzzy logic is used to handle situations when the outcome cannot be specified by a hard limit of yes or no. Many human diseases may be diagnosed using a particular test or diagnostic method which tells people whether they have the condition or not. Migraine is a less-known condition; hence, there is no permanent treatment for migraines yet. There isn't a specific test for diagnosing migraines, which implies that only an individual's physical and mental symptoms may be used for the diagnosis of migraines. Symptoms also vary from one another—no standard definition of migraine at the moment. There are currently no tests in the medical field that can diagnose migraines. The symptom indicates the severity and health state of the migraine. This professional method attempts to assess and diagnose migraine utilizing ambiguous symptoms. Obscure refers to items or traits that are not measured using precise logic; in other words, there isn't a significant differentiation between yes and no. Migraine has various symptoms; we can estimate the severity of the migraines based on all these symptoms. We solved the problem using MATLAB.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Training on Ergonomic Risks Exposed to Nurses While Measuring Blood Pressure
Authors: dirgar ezgi , olgun nermin
Published: March 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Applying prednisone after radioactive iodine is helpful to reduce gastrointestinal reactions for papillary thyroid carcinoma patients
Authors: Xiao Juan , Han Fei , Cao Jingjia , Li Xiao , Yun Canhua
Published: March 2023

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical value of prednisone for preventing the occurrence of adverse reactions after radioactive iodine (RAI) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
Methods: 220 consecutive PTC patients who undergone RAI were included in the study. From March 16 to April 27, 2020, patients accepted prednisone and from May 6 to July 20, 2020, patients enrolled who were not applied with prednisone. Clinicopathological characteristics, RAI treatment effect, and adverse reactions after RAI were compared between the two groups.
Result:127 patients were in prednisone treatment group (91 females and 36 males; mean age, 41.46±11.65), 93 patients were in control group (73 females and 20 males; mean age, 43.12±11.19). There was no statistical difference in gender, age, T stage, N stage, ATA risk classification, pre-ablation Tg and RAI treatment effect between the two groups. Compared with the control group, the proportion of gastrointestinal reaction and parotid enlargement in prednisone treatment group was lower. The duration of gastrointestinal reactions in the prednisone treatment group was shorter than that in the control group.
Conclusion: To some extent, applying prednisone to PTC patients could control gastrointestinal reaction after RAI therapy, but it should be cautious when applying it for patients.
Transarterial chemoembolization combined with microwave ablation versus repeated resection for recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma after resection：What is the better treatment？
Authors: Ji Jie , Yan Le-le , Ma Yuan , Wang Fu-an , Zhang Ya-ping , Jin Sheng-jie , Zhou Wei-Zhong , Lv Peng-hua
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with microwave ablation (TACE-MWA) versus repeated hepatic resection (RHR) among patients with recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) after primary resection.
Materials and Methods: A total of 59 patients with recurrent sHCC (size ≤ 3cm) treated by TACE-MWA or RHR were collected from two centers between June 2015 and October 2021. Patients who were treated by either TACE-MWA or RHR were matched by propensity score at 1:1 ratio. Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and complications were compared between groups.
Results: A total of 38 patients were enrolled in this study after matching, with 19 patients in each group. Before matching, the corresponding 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates were 68.1%, 46.6%, and 23.3% for the TACE-MWA group, and 84.6%, 47.3%, and 47.3% for the RHR group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 100.0%, 83.7%, and 47.8% for the TACE-MWA group, and 100.0%, 95.0%, and 45.2% for the RHR group, respectively. After matching, the corresponding 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates were 78.0%, 48.3%, and 24.1% for the TACE-MWA group, and 77.5%, 38.7%, and 38.7% for the RHR group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 100.0%, 88.9%, and 54.9% for the TACE-MWA group, and 100.0%, 93.3%, and 44.4% for the RHR group, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in either DFS rates or OS rates between groups before matching (P=0.825 and P=0.625) and after matching (P=0.834 and P=0.490).
Conclusions: Compared with RHR, TACE-MWA could provide equivalent effectiveness for recurrent sHCC.
Determination of the best point of entry of percutaneous insertion of sacroiliac screws depending on patient positioning for surgery: a cadaveric study
Authors: Kułakowski Michał , Reichert Paweł , Elster Karol , Piotrowski Wojciech , Ślęczka Paweł , Witkowski Jarosław , Oleksy Łukasz , Janczak Dariusz , Królikowska Aleksandra
Published: March 2023

The standard starting point for the percutaneous sacroiliac screw insertion defined by Matta and Saucedo was initially determined for surgeries performed in a prone position. Still, the technique has also been used in surgeries performed in a supine position. Therefore, the cadaveric study aimed to determine the best entry point for the percutaneous insertion of sacroiliac screws depending on the patient's positioning for surgery. K-wires were percutaneously inserted into the sacral body of eight human cadavers. In addition to the standard sacroiliac screw entry point, points located 1 cm and 2 cm cranially from along the line, prolonging the femoral axis, were studied. The K-wires were inserted into the studied entry points on the right side in a supine position and on the left side of the same cadaver in a prone position. The placement of the K-wires was assessed using radiographic imaging and cadaver dissection. The analysis revealed that all three studied entry points enabled the correct placement of orthopedic implants for surgery in the prone position. In turn, for surgery performed in the supine position, the best entry point was located 2 cm cranially from the standard entry point, along the line prolonging the femoral axis.
Factors affecting usage intention of PMDs in South Korea: S-O-R theory and the mediating effect
Authors: Lee WonGuk , Yang Heetae
Published: March 2023

This study investigates the factors that impact the intention to use personal mobility devices (PMDs) focusing on the role of perceived satisfaction and perceived trust in driving usage intention. A new research model was developed based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory to explore how stimuli, organisms, response factors, and two antecedents influence the intention to use PMDs. To gather data, we surveyed 444 current users and non-users of PMDs in South Korea and analyzed the results using partial least squares structural equation modeling and deep artificial neural networks. Perceived satisfaction and perceived trust have significant mediating effects on usage intention of PMDs. Additionally, the roles of stimulus factors and the two antecedents are confirmed, even though the significant relationships between a few factors for users and non-users are different. One crucial finding is the positive influence of government regulation on perceived risk factors. The results offer suggestions for PMD service providers about how to retain current users and attract non-users.
Electromagnetic transition strengths on the S-factor for radiative capture proton by 17O
Authors: Dalvand Massoumeh , Khalili Hassan
Published: March 2023

The study of the astrophysical S-factor is essential in the analysis of low-temperature stellar radioactive capturing reactions in theoretical frameworks. We investigate the proton capture by 17O using Wood Saxon potential model. We calculated the astrophysical S-factor for 17O(p, γ) 18F reactions at low energy. In the hydrogen-burning process, this reaction plays a role in multiple stages of stellar evolution. Furthermore, it is important in the synthesis of fluorine and oxygen isotopes, which is part of the CNO cycle. At low energis, the empirical size of the cross-section of this reaction is not available. As a result, the reaction rate could be used in theoretical models by extrapolating the astrophysical S-factor to extremely low energy levels and finding the cross-section. Finally, transition strengths on the astrophysical S-factor is calculated and it was found that electric dipole(E1) transition in the 500 keV energy range is dominant. The findings are consistent with empirical data and other theoretical models. Furthermore, the S-factor at zeri energy for the (5/2)+ level was calculated using extrapolation, yielding S(0)= 4.807 keV.b .
The influence of permeability and heterogeneity on water flooding–chemical flooding efficiency and remaining oil distribution ——Based on nuclear magnetic resonance displacement imaging
Authors: Zhang Yang , Gai Changcheng , Song Binghui , Jiang Jiguo , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: March 2023

To clarify the impact of permeability and heterogeneity on oil displacement efficiency and remaining oil distribution of water flooding-chemical flooding, three groups of high and ultrahigh permeability core samples from an ultrahigh water-cut oilfield in western China were selected as the research objects in this study. High-pressure mercury injection, scanning electron microscopy, wettability test, and other methods were used to characterize the reservoir properties of core samples. Six groups of experiments were performed using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) displacement imaging technology to simulate the oilfield development process considering the economic benefits, and the oil displacement efficiency and remaining oil distribution characteristics of water flooding combined with polymer flooding and polymer-surfactant flooding in reservoirs with varying physical properties were discussed. The research shows that during the simulation process of first water flooding followed by chemical flooding and then water flooding in the oilfield, the T2 spectrum signal amplitude increases the most in the two stages, one is from saturated oil flooding to 50% water cut and the other one is from 95% water cut to the end of 1 PV polymer flooding. The oil displacement efficiency increases the most, and the oil is primarily discharged from pore throats larger than 90 ms (or with pore throat radius of 8.37 µm). Higher permeability and the addition of surfactant based on the polymer are beneficial in improving final oil displacement efficiency, and the displacement efficiency is better when the polymer-surfactant binary flooding acts on the reservoir with higher permeability. The fingering phenomenon and remaining oil distribution are controlled by reservoir heterogeneity and gravity: the lower the heterogeneity, the more uniform the remaining oil distribution, and the closer the oil saturation at the experiment’s inlet and outlet. The more heterogeneous the sample, the more obvious is the fingering phenomenon, and the remaining oil is primarily distributed at the outlet end as well as at the top of the sample. The study results provide theoretical guidance for tapping the remaining oil potential of old oilfields with high to ultrahigh permeabilities.
A Circular Split Ring Resonator Absorber with Graphene Material for Terahertz Communication Applications
Authors: Prasad Nagandla , P Pardhasaradhi , Madhav B.T.P. , Das Sudipta , Rao M C
Published: March 2023

In this research article, we proposed a split ring resonator(SRR) based metasurface absorber based on graphene material. The performance of the graphene-based absorber at terahertz frequencies can be altered by varying the chemical potential of graphene material. Because of its excellent tunability and optical responsiveness at terahertz frequency, graphene-based metamaterials have been widely used in optoelectronic devices, sensors, filters, and many more. The proposed structure contains three layers namely graphene-based patch a conductive layer, lossy silicon as a dielectric layer, and finally gold as a bottom conductive layer. The purpose of this research is to present a thorough investigation of graphene-based THz metamaterial absorbers, including modeling and verification of the structure through an equivalent circuit approach. It is very much beneficial to understand the conductive phenomenon of graphene material by tuning the fermi chemical potential.
Accuracy of smartphone application to quantify jaundice in neonates: A systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Hegde Deeparaj , Rath Chandra , Amarasekara Sathika , Saraswati Chitra , Patole Sanjay , Rao Shripada
Published: March 2023

Purpose
Neonatal jaundice is a common clinical condition which can progress to acute bilirubin encephalopathy with serious consequences if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Timely and frequent screening by parents at home has the potential for early identification of high bilirubin levels. In this study, we aimed to analyse the current evidence on the accuracy of smart phone applications to detect neonatal jaundice.
Methods
PubMed, EMBASE, EMCARE, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched from inception until July 2022. Grey literature was searched on ‘Opengrey’ and ‘Mednar’ databases. We included prospective and retrospective cohort studies that recruited infants with a gestation of ≥ 35 weeks and reported paired total serum bilirubin (TSB) and smartphone app-based bilirubin (ABB) levels. Two reviewers independently selected the studies for inclusion. In case of discrepancies, discussions were held with the third reviewer prior to reaching consensus. We conducted the review using the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration Diagnostic Test Accuracy Working Group and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-diagnostic test accuracy (PRISMA-DTA) statement. The data was pooled using the random effects model. The outcome of interest was agreement between ABB and TSB measurements, provided as correlation coefficient. Certainty of Evidence (COE) was assessed based on GRADE guidelines.
Results
14 studies (n = 2256) were included in the meta-analysis. The number of infants in individual studies ranged between 35 and 530. The pooled correlation coefficient (r) was 0.77 [95% CI 0.69 to 0.83; p < 0.01], indicating a statistically significant and strong positive correlation between ABB and TSB. Reported sensitivities for predicting a TSB of 250 µmol/L in individual studies ranged between 75 and 100% and specificities 61 to 100%. Similarly, a sensitivity of 83 to 100% and a specificity of 19.5 to 76% were reported for predicting a TSB of 205 µmol/L. Overall COE was considered moderate.
Conclusions
Smart phone App based bilirubin estimation showed a strong correlation to TSB levels. Well-designed studies are required to determine its utility as a screening tool for various TSB cut-off levels to commence phototherapy.
Antimicrobial activity of nature-inspired molecules against multidrug resistant bacteria
Authors: Hamad Mohamad , Al-Marzooq Farah , Srinivas Vunnam , Sulaiman Ashna , Al-Tel Taleb H.
Published: March 2023

Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections present a serious challenge to global health. In addition to the spread of antibiotic resistance, some bacteria can form persister cells which are tolerant to most antibiotics and can lead to treatment failure or relapse. In the present work, we report the discovery of a new class of small molecules with potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and moderate activity against Gram negative drug resistant bacterial pathogens. The lead compound SIMR 2404 had a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 µg/ml against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA). The MIC values against Gram negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Actinobacteria baumannii were between 8–32 µg/ml. Time kill experiments show that compound SIMR 2404 can rapidly kill tested bacteria. Compound SIMR 2404 was also found to rapidly kill MRSA persisters which display high levels of tolerance to conventional antibiotics. In antibiotic evolution experiments, MRSA quickly developed resistance to ciprofloxacin but failed to develop resistance to compound SIMR 2404 even after 24 serial passages. The rapid antibacterial activity against both active and persister MRSA and to a lesser extent against Gram negative bacteria, suggest the potential of these molecules for further evaluation as antibacterial agents.
Changes in the dry eye parameters of patients with different preoperative ocular surface disease index scores after small incision lenticule extraction
Authors: Cui Ge , Wang Tianjiao , Di Yu , Yang Shan , Li Ying , Chen Di
Published: March 2023

To evaluate the changes in the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores and dry eye parameters of patients with different preoperative OSDI scores after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery. Prospective research. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A, OSDI < 13; and Group B, OSDI ≥ 13. The OSDI scores, tear meniscus height (TMH), first non-invasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT-First), and meibomian gland loss (MGL, %) were recorded at postoperative 1 -week and 1-month.113 eyes (57 patients) were enrolled, 70 eyes in Group A, and 43 eyes in Group B. In Group A, the OSDI scores significantly increased at 1-week and 1-month postoperative (all P < 0.001); the TMH, NIBUT-First and lipid layer grade significantly decreased at postoperative 1-week (P = 0.003, 0.005, 0.007, 0.004, respectively), but returned to preoperative level at 1-month postoperative. In Group B, only the lipid layer grade significantly decreased at postoperative 1-week (P < 0.05). Patients with different preoperative OSDI scores may experience different changes early after SMILE surgery. Patients with OSDI scores < 13 may experience more dramatic changes in dry eye symptoms which would resolve, while subjective complains could still exists at 1 month post-surgery.
Association of an eight-gene signature prognosis model with tumor immunity in medulloblastoma
Authors: Jiang Tao , Han DongMing , Jia Zetian , Zou Wanjing , Liu Raynald , Hu Yuhua , Qiu Xiaoguang , Li Chunde , Liu Hailong , Li Jiankang
Published: March 2023

Background
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in cancer progression. We investigated TME-specific gene signatures and established a risk score to predict the outcome of medulloblastoma (MB) patients.
Methods
We evaluated TME parameters of 240 MB patients at Beijing Tiantan Hospital Capital Medical University with the ESTIMATE algorithm. Co-expression network analysis of differentially expressed and weighted genes (WGCNA) was used to identify intersecting genes. Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and backward stepwise regression we obtained a TME-associated risk score (TMErisk) based on eight prognostic gene signatures (CEBPB, OLFML2B, GGTA1, GZMA, TCIM, OLFML3, NAT1, and CD1C), verified in a GEO dataset (GSE85217).
Results
The correlation between TMErisk and TME, immune checkpoint, mRNAsi, and tumor mutation burden (TMB) was analyzed. MB patients’ response to immunotherapy was evaluated using immune-phenoscore (IPS) and drug sensitivity. A high TMErisk score indicated a worse overall survival. TMErisk scores were negatively correlated with immune cells, immune checkpoints, and human leukocyte antigens. TMErisk scores correlated significantly negatively with TMB and IPS for specific molecular subtypes. Tumor mRNAsi was associated with TME-risk.
Conclusions
A prognostic model based on TME-specific gene signatures may be used as a biomarker for evaluating prognosis and predicting response to immunotherapy in MB patients.
Curdione regulates ferroptosis in colorectal cancer via N6-methyladenosine
Authors: Wang Fang , Sun Zheng , Yang Hao , Yang Gang , Zhang Qunyao , Yang Qi , Zhu Yimiao , Xu Wenwen , Wu Xiaoyu
Published: March 2023

Background: Curdione is a sesquiterpene isolated from Curcumae Rhizoma with high biological activity and a wide range of pharmacological effects. The traditional Chinese medicine Curcumae Rhizoma inhibits the development of many types of cancer, especially colorectal cancer, but the anti-colorectal mechanism of its monomer Curdione is vacant.
Methods: CT26 cells were treated with 12.5 μM, 25 μM, and 50 μM of Curdione, and cell activity was measured by MTT. Nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with different doses of Curdione and oxaliplatin by tail vein injection, and tumor histology was examined by HE staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect ROS in cells and tissues. Kits were used to detect levels of iron ions, MDA and GSH. PCR and western blot were used to detect ferroptosis and m6A modification-related factors. The methylation spot hybridization assay detected quantitative changes in overall methylation. MeRIP-qRNA measured SLC7A11 and HOXA13. shRNA-METTL14 plasmid was constructed to verify the inhibitory effect of Curdione on colorectal cancer.
Results: A dose-dependent decrease in activity was observed in Curdione-treated cells. Curdione increased the accumulation of ROS in colorectal cancer cells and tumor tissues, significantly increased the levels of MDA and Fe2+, and decreased the activity of GSH. qPCR and Western blot results showed that Curdione promoted the expression of METTL14 and YTHDF2 in colorectal cancer cells and tissues, and decreased the expression of SLC7A11, SLC3A2, HOXA13, and GPX4 expression. In addition, in animal experiments, HE staining showed that the Curdione -treated group showed significant necrosis of tumor cells. Moreover, the levels of m6A modifying factors, namely SLC7A11 and HOXA13, were increased in the tissues after the drug intervention compared to the control group. The knockdown of METTL14 was followed by an increase in CT26 cell activity and a decrease in reactive oxygen species. Cellular activity and GSH levels decreased after Curdione treatment. Levels of ROS, MDA, and iron ions increased significantly.
Conclusion: These results suggest that Curdione induces ferroptosis in colorectal cancer via m6A methylation.
The Carbon Emissions of Writing and Illustrating Are Lower for AI than for Humans
Authors: Tomlinson Bill , Black Rebecca W. , Patterson Donald J. , Torrance Andrew W.
Published: March 2023

As AI systems proliferate, their greenhouse gas emissions are an increasingly important concern for human societies. In this article, we present a comparative analysis of the carbon emissions associated with AI systems (ChatGPT, BLOOM, DALL-E2, Midjourney) and human individuals performing equivalent writing and illustrating tasks. Our findings reveal that AI systems emit between 130 and 1500 times less CO2e per page of text generated compared to human writers, while AI illustration systems emit between 310 to 2900 times less CO2e per image than their human counterparts. Emissions analyses do not account for social impacts such as professional displacement, legality, and rebound effects. In addition, AI is not a substitute for all human tasks. Nevertheless, at present, the use of AI holds the potential to carry out several major activities at much lower emission levels than can humans.
White and green striate leaves 1, predicted to encode a 16S rRNA processing protein, plays a critical role in the processing of chloroplast ribosomes in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: li qigui , Du Jiyuan , Qiao Zhenghao , Pan Chao , He Weiqiang , Zhang Li , Li Xiaohu , Nie Yongxin , Li Xinzheng , Pan Guangtang , Zhang Zhiming , Li Gaoke , Ding Haiping
Published: March 2023

Ribosomes play a crucial role in protein biosynthesis and are linked to plant growth and development. The RimM protein has been shown to involved in the maturation of 30S ribosomal subunits, but its exact function in plants is still unknown. In this study, we discovered a maize mutant with white and green striate leaves (wgsl1) and reduced chlorophyll content. Genetic analysis showed that the wgsl1 mutation was recessive and controlled by a single nuclear gene. Map-based cloning of ZmWGSL1 identified a base substitution (G to A) that generated a missense mutation within the Zm00001d039036 gene in the wgsl1 mutant. Zm00001d039036 encodes a 16S rRNA processing protein containing the RimM motif. Further analysis of transcriptomic data showed that the transcript levels of many ribosomal proteins involved in the small and big ribosomal subunits were dramatically up-regulated in the wgsl1 mutant. Moreover, the level of ribosomal multimers was decreased. This suggests that ZmWGSL1 plays a crucial role in the maturation of the ribosome, leading to abnormal plant growth and development. In addition, subcellular localization results indicate that WGSL1 is localized in chloroplasts. Therefore, we suggest that WGSL1 is synthesized in the nucleus, is transported to the chloroplast to drive functions, and affects the processing of ribosomes in the chloroplast.
Brazilin inhibits the inflammatory immune response induced by LPS in THP-1 cells
Authors: Han Deting , Ma Tao , Sun Shanmei , Zhang Yameng , Song Lucheng
Published: March 2023

Objective
To investigate the inhibitory effect of Brazilin (BN) on the inflammatory response of THP-1-derived macrophages induced by LPS.
Methods
THP-1 cells were induced with PMA to extend pseudopodia and form macrophages, and the inflammatory model was induced by LPS. The cell survival rate intervented by Brazilin was determined by the CCK-8 method, and the expression of PD-1 was detected by Flow cytometry, and contents of the cytokines IL-10 and TNF-α in the extracted supernatant of THP-1 cells were detected by ELISA, and the mRNA level was detected by RT‒PCR, while the protein level were detected by Western blot.
Results
The results showed that the best concentration of Brazilin was 12 µg/mL. The best concentration of simvastatin was 15 µg/mL, and the growth was concentration dependent. The expression of PD-1 on the cell surface in the two groups was significantly decreased compared with the control group, and the differences in the Brazilin group and the simvastatin group were significant (P < 0.01; P < 0.001; P < 0.001). The concentrations of TNF-α in the drug groups were significantly decreased while the IL-10 concentration was increased, and compared with the model group, the two drug groups were highly statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mRNA and the protein expression levels of PD-1, NF-κB, TLR4 and MMP-9 in the test groups had extremely significant difference compared with the model group (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Brazilin can inhibit the abnormal activation of PD-1, TLR4, NF-κB and MMP-9 and is a good anti-AS drug that can not only reduce blood lipids but also have immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory activity, laying a solid theoretical foundation for future screening and development of anti-AS drugs.
Age-specific high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is superior to age-specific procalcitonin for diagnosing early- onset bacterial infection in term neonates
Authors: Naramura Tetsuo , Iwai Masanori , Yoshimatsu Hidetaka , Nakamura Tomomi , Imamura Hiroko , Hattori Yusuke , Noda Yusuke , Tanaka Kenichi , Matsumoto Shirou , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Nakamura Kimitoshi
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the predictive usefulness of age-adjusted cutoff values of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) for early-onset bacterial infection (EOBI) in term neonates.
Methods: Serumhs-CRP and PCT levels in term neonates were compared among the no-symptom reference (REF), non-infectious respiratory failure (NIRF), and suspected bacterial infection (SBI) groups at birth and 1-18 h, 19-36 h, and 37-72 h postnatally. The predictive cutoff values of serum hs-CRP and PCT for EOBI were analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for each time frame.
Results: Serum levels of hs-CRP and PCT in the NIRF group were significantly higher than those of the REF group at 1-72 h postnatally. Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the SBI group than in the NIRF group at all time points, but serum PCT levels had significance only at 1-18 h postnatally. ROC analysis for predicting EOBI showed that hs-CRP had a better area-under-the-curve, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value than did PCT at all time points. The best predictive cutoff value of serum hs-CRP for EOBI was 18.4 mg/L at 19-36 h postnatally, which was higher and occurred earlier than the most used serum hs-CRP cutoff value of 10 mg/L in the first several days of life in neonates.
Conclusions: Age-adjusted hs-CRP cutoff values had better predictive power than age-adjusted PCT cutoff values for EOBI in term neonates during the first 72 h postnatally. Using age-specific hs-CRP may reduce prophylactic antibiotic administration for suspected EOBI in term neonates.