bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Network‐Based Induced Abortion Incidence Estimation in Burkina Faso: Examining the Impact of the Network Generating Question
Authors: Bell Suzanne O. , Guiella Georges , Anjur‐Dietrich Selena , Bazie Fiacre , Onadja Yentema , Ahmed Saifuddin , Moreau Caroline
Published: October 2022

Social network‐based methods are increasingly used to estimate induced abortion incidence and investigate correlates. Approaches differ in the social tie definitions used to identify which social network members’ abortion experiences respondents will report. This study compares the effect of using the “best friend” (closest female friend) versus “confidante” (specifying mutual sharing of personal information) definition on abortion incidence estimation. We use data from a nationally representative survey of women aged 15–49 in Burkina Faso (conducted in 2020–2021) where respondents were randomized into two versions of an abortion module, using different friend definitions. We computed abortion rate estimates by friend definition and adjusted for assumption violations (transmission bias, surrogate sample selection bias). Unadjusted incidence rates varied from 11.7 [4.1–19.2] abortions per 1,000 women to 15.6 [9.7–21.4], depending on friend definition. The confidante definition yielded higher adjusted estimates (36.2 [25.1–47.2]) than the best friend definition (17.0 [8.7–25.3]) due to greater transmission bias adjustment. Both estimates exceeded the respondent self‐reported abortion incidence (4.0 [2.2–5.9]). Our results indicate that either friend definition produces higher incidence estimates than self‐report but suggest a potential advantage for the “best friend” over the “confidante” definition given lower transmission bias. Further research should assess generalizability of these findings in other contexts.
Intervening Factors in the Groundwater Salinization Process, Cachoeira River Basin, Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Alves Jamille Evangelista , Nascimento Sérgio Augusto De Morais , Rabelo Gomes Maria da Conceição
Published: October 2022

Hydrogeochemical diagrams and multivariate statistics were applied herein to identify the factors that potentially influence the salinity of water in the crystalline aquifer of the Cachoeira River Basin region, located in the southern portion of the State of Bahia. Data from the hydrogeological database of the Companhia de Engenharia Hídrica e de Saneamento da Bahia (CERB) were applied. The groundwater was predominantly classified as calcium-bicarbonate, with salinity levels ranging from fresh to brackish. The cation that prevails in the region is Ca2+, while carbonate and bicarbonate are the dominant anions. Factor analysis enabled the determination of two factors that explain approximately 93% of the total variance of the data. Hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in five distinct groups based on dissolved ion concentrations. This study indicates that the natural mechanisms that control the chemical composition of groundwater are mainly related to the weathering of rocks and evaporative processes, with the most significant parameters related to the variability of water salinity being Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Fe (total), and Cl-.
Frequency dependence of the ultrasonic power reflected from the water-tissue interface of human cancellous bone in vitro
Authors: Hoffmeister Brent K. , Main Evan N. , Newman Will R. , Ebron Sheldon C. , Huang Jinsong
Published: October 2022

Numerous studies have performed in vitro ultrasonic measurements of cancellous bone in water to develop techniques for ultrasonic bone assessment. Because cancellous bone is a highly porous medium, ultrasonic reflections at the water-bone interface may be frequency dependent. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of porosity on the frequency dependence of the reflected power. Ultrasonic measurements were performed in a water tank at room temperature on 15 specimens of cancellous bone prepared from the proximal end of 9 human femurs using single element, broadband transducers with center frequencies of 3.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 MHz. Power spectra of pulses reflected from the water-specimen interface were corrected for the frequency response of the measurement system to obtain the reflected power in decibels RdB(f). To suppress random phase cancellation effects, RdB(f) was averaged over multiple sites on multiple specimens. A frequency dependence of RdB(f) was observed in the 2.6–10 MHz range. The frequency dependence was moderate, with a maximum change of less than 6 dB over the entire frequency range. RdB(f) was greatest for low porosity specimens. The frequency averaged intensity reflection coefficient ranged from 7.4 × 10−4 to 7.8 × 10−3 for high and low porosity specimen groups, respectively.
The Importance of Communication During a Bike Fit: A Call for Research
Authors: Smethurst Alex Jane , Findlay Iain Stuart
Published: October 2022

Bike fitting is a rapidly developing profession in the field of sport and well-being. The profession is governed by the International Bike Fitting Institute, which recently announced the creation of a common education syllabus. Although this is a positive step forward, to ensure the integrity of the profession, it is important that the content of the syllabus be evidence based. This, however, may prove challenging as there is currently a paucity of research regarding certain aspects of the bike-fitting role. One area that appears to have been largely neglected is the relationship and importance of communication between the bike fitter and client. This scholarly commentary presents research from other professions that demonstrates both the importance of this omission and the necessity to include training on communication and interpersonal skills in the International Bike Fitting Institute’s proposed education provision.
Reliability of the 3-Component Model of Aerobic, Anaerobic Lactic, and Anaerobic Alactic Energy Distribution (PCr-LA-O2) for Energetic Profiling of Continuous and Intermittent Exercise
Authors: Kaufmann Sebastian , Latzel Richard , Beneke Ralph , Hoos Olaf
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To assess the test–retest reliability of the continuous (PCr-LA-O2) and intermittent (PCr-LA-O2int) version of the 3-component model of energy distribution in an applied setting. Methods: Sixteen male handball players (age 23 [3] y, height 185 [7] cm, weight 85 [14] kg) completed the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30–15IFT) twice. Performance was assessed by peak speed (speed of the last successfully completed stage of the 30–15IFT [VIFT], in kilometers per hour) and time to exhaustion (in seconds). Oxygen uptake (in milliliters per kilogram per minute) and blood lactate concentrations (in millimoles per liter) were obtained before, during, and until 15 minutes after exercise. Total metabolic energy (in joules per kilogram), total metabolic power (in watts per kilogram), and energy shares (in joules per kilogram and percentage) of the aerobic (energy contribution of the aerobic system [WAERint]), anaerobic lactic, and anaerobic alactic (anaerobic alactic energy [WPCrint]) systems were calculated using both model versions, respectively. Results: Test–retest reliability was very good for VIFT (limits of agreement [LoA]: −1.13 to 0.63 km·h−1, coefficient of variation [CV%] 1.68), time to exhaustion (LoA: −101 to 38 s, CV% 2.92), peak oxygen uptake (LoA: −2.68 to 4.04 mL·min−1·kg−1, CV% 1.48), and peak heart rate (−6.9 to 7.7 beats·min−1, CV% 1.1), but moderate for change in blood lactate concentration (LoA: −3.84 to 4.07 mmol·L−1, CV% 11.43). Reliability of the modeled total energy and its fractions were high for total metabolic energy (LoA: −1489 to 1177 J·kg−1, CV% 2.88), total metabolic power (LoA: −2.0 to 1.9 W·kg−1, CV% 3.58), contribution of aerobic (LoA: −1673 to 1283 J·kg−1, CV% 3.62), WAERint (LoA: −1760 to 2160 J·kg−1, CV% 6.04), and moderate for anaerobic alactic (LoA: −368 to 439 J·kg−1, CV% 14.85), WPCrint (LoA: −1707 to 988 J·kg−1, CV% 9.98), and energy share of anaerobic lactic concentration (LoA: −229 to 235 J·kg−1, CV% 11.43). Conclusion: Considering the inherent fluctuations of the underlying energetics, the reliabilities of both versions of the 3-component model of energy distribution are acceptable for applied settings.
The 180° Turn Phase of the Timed Up and Go Test Better Predicts History of Falls in the Oldest-Old When Compared With the Full Test: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Brauner Fabiane de Oliveira , Figueiredo Anelise Ineu , Urbanetto Matheus de Souza , Baptista Rafael Reimann , Schiavo Aniuska , Mestriner Régis Gemerasca
Published: October 2022

The 180° turn phase of the test may better differentiate the oldest-old regarding their history of falls. This is a case-control study designed to detect the ability of the 180° turn timed up and go (TUG) phase to detect a history of falls in the oldest-old. Sixty people aged 85 years and older were assessed in their homes. The single-task and dual-task TUG tests were performed using an inertial sensor (G-Walk). Sociodemographic data, physical activity levels, mental status, depressive symptoms, concern for falls occurrence, number of medicines in use, self-perception of balance, and the functional reach test were also assessed. The logistic regressions revealed the 180° turn phase of both the single-task and dual-task TUG was almost three times better than the full TUG test to detect a history of falls, thus providing insights that can be used to better assess functional mobility in the oldest-old.
Affective Responses to Fitness Testing in College-Aged Women
Authors: Abreu Alyssa , Thompson Jessica , Cofield Danielle N. , Faries Mark D. , Jones Eric J.
Published: October 2022

Physical inactivity is common among women and a quarter of college-aged women are classified as overweight or obese, making this population an important target for obesity prevention. Fitness testing is commonplace, and practitioners can hold an underlying belief that discrepancies will promote positive responses. However, little research has examined the affective responses to fitness testing in adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the affective responses to common fitness testing, while examining relationships to physical self to help elucidate why some respond to such testing and others do not. Forty-eight college-aged women were presented with their discrepancy from a normative standard across six fitness tests. Findings support previous conceptualizations on discrepancies and affective responses, in that greater negative discrepancies from normative standards were associated with greater changes in negative feeling states. In addition, the results suggest that only certain discrepancies pose a threat to perceived satisfaction with one’s physical self (i.e., self-concept)—mainly though subdomains related to body appearance and aerobic fitness. In other words, the greater the perceived satisfaction of self, the greater negative emotional response was experienced to the specific test discrepancy. The notation of “threats” to important domains of self-concept might help explain why fitness testing that alerts individuals where they are discrepant produce behavioral changes in some but not others. Professionals should consider the impact of providing fitness test discrepancies on negative affective responses, with the possible impact on motivation and future behavior choices to reduce the discrepancy.
Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Prophylaxis with Intravenous Pentamidine in Adult Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients
Authors: McCollam Shiela , Lewis James S. , Bubalo Joseph , Diaz Amber
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this single-center retrospective case series was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 300-mg once-monthly intravenous (IV) pentamidine prophylaxis in 702 adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. We observed no cases of
Pneumocystis jirovecii
pneumonia (PJP) following IV pentamidine administration.
The Small RNA Teg41 Is a Pleiotropic Regulator of Virulence in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Briaud Paul , Zapf Rachel L. , Mayher Ariana D. , McReynolds Aubrey K. G. , Frey Andrew , Sudnick Emily G. , Wiemels Richard E. , Keogh Rebecca A. , Shaw Lindsey N. , Bose Jeffrey L. , Carroll Ronan K.
Published: October 2022

Previously, our group demonstrated a role for the small RNA (sRNA) Teg41 in regulating production of the alpha phenol-soluble modulin toxins (αPSMs) in
Staphylococcus aureus
. Overexpressing Teg41 increased αPSM production while deleting the 3′ end of Teg41 (Teg41Δ3′ strain) resulted in a decrease in αPSM production, reduced hemolytic activity of
S. aureus
culture supernatants, and attenuated virulence in a murine abscess model of infection.
Mendelian or Multifactorial? Current Undergraduate Genetics Assessments Focus on Genes and Rarely Include the Environment
Authors: Schmid Kelly M. , Lee Dennis , Weindling Monica , Syed Awais , Agyemang Stephanie-Louise Yacoba , Donovan Brian , Radick Gregory , Smith Michelle K.
Published: October 2022

Undergraduate genetics courses have historically focused on simple genetic models, rather than taking a more multifactorial approach where students explore how traits are influenced by a combination of genes, the environment, and gene-by-environment interactions. While a focus on simple genetic models can provide straightforward examples to promote student learning, they do not match the current scientific understanding and can result in deterministic thinking among students.
Wolbachia
-Driven Memory Loss in a Parasitic Wasp Increases Superparasitism to Enhance Horizontal Transmission
Authors: Zhou Jin-Cheng , Zhao Xu , Huo Liang-Xiao , Shang Dan , Dong Hui , Zhang Li-Sheng
Published: October 2022

The endosymbiotic bacteria,
Wolbachia
, live widely within cells of arthropods.
Wolbachia
are not only transmitted vertically from host mother to offspring, but are also transmitted horizontally among host individuals. Horizontal transmission is expected to occur during superparasitism when host parasitoid females deposit a clutch of eggs on a host previously parasitized by the same parasitoid species.
Genome-Centric Dynamics Shape the Diversity of Oral Bacterial Populations
Authors: Utter Daniel R. , Cavanaugh Colleen M. , Borisy Gary G.
Published: October 2022

The oral microbiome represents a microbial community of critical relevance to human health. Recent studies have documented the diversity and dynamics of different bacteria to reveal a rich, stable ecosystem characterized by strain-level dynamics.
Corner Flows Induced by Surfactant-Producing Bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens
Authors: Li Yuan , Sanfilippo Joseph E. , Kearns Daniel , Yang Judy Q.
Published: October 2022

The spread of bacteria in soil is critical in soil biogeochemical cycles, soil and groundwater contamination, and the efficiency of soil-based bioremediation projects. However, the mechanistic understanding of bacterial spreading in soil remains incomplete due to a lack of direct observations.
Prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in a population-based cohort study of older adults in Northern Ireland using multimodal imaging: NICOLA Study
Authors: Hogg Ruth E , Wright David M , Quinn Nicola B , Muldrew Katherine Alyson , Hamill Barbra , Smyth Laura , McKnight Amy Jayne , Woodside Jayne , Tully Mark A , Cruise Sharon , McGuinness Bernadette , Young Ian S , Kee Frank , Peto Tunde , Chakravarthy Usha
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To report prevalence and risk factor associations for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and AMD features from multimodal retinal grading in a multidisciplinary longitudinal population-based study of aging in Northern Ireland.

Study design

Population-based longitudinal cohort study.

Methods

Retinal imaging at the Norther Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Aging Study health assessment included stereo Colour Fundus Photography (CFP) (Canon CX-1, Tokyo, Japan) and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) ((Heidelberg Retinal Angopgraph (HRA)+OCT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Medical history and demographic information was obtained during a home interview. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence of AMD and individual AMD features. Multiple imputation followed by multiple regression modelling was used to explore risk factor associations including relationships with AMD genetic risk score.

Results

Retinal images from 3386 participants were available for analysis. Mean age of the sample was 63.4 (SD 9.01, range: 36–99). Population weighted prevalence of AMD using colour grading in those over 55 years was: no drusen: 6 0.4%; drusen <63 μm: 15.9%; drusen 63–125 µm: 13.7%; drusen >125 µm or pigmentary changes: 8.3%; late AMD: 1.6%. Prevalence of AMD features in those over 55 years was: OCT drusen 27.5%, complete outer retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) on OCT was 4.3%, reticular drusen 3.2% and subretinal drusenoid deposits 25.7%. The genetic risk score was significantly associated with drusen and cRORA but less so for SDD alone and non-significant for hyperpigmentation or vitelliform lesions.

Conclusions

Multimodal imaging-based classification has provided evidence of some divergence of genetic risk associations between classical drusen and SDD. Our findings support an urgent review of current AMD severity classification systems.
Respiratory function and CT abnormalities among survivors of COVID-19 pneumonia: a nationwide follow-up study
Authors: Axelsson Gisli Thor , Halldorsson Arnljotur Bjorn , Jonsson Helgi Mar , Eythorsson Elias , Sigurdardottir Sigridur Erla , Hardardottir Hronn , Gudmundsson Gunnar , Hansdottir Sif
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Considering the pulmonary burden caused by acute COVID-19, questions remain of respiratory consequences after recovery. The aim of the study was to describe respiratory function of COVID-19 pneumonia survivors at mid-term follow-up (median 68 days) and assess whether impairments were predicted by acute illness severity or residual CT abnormalities.

Methods

Residents of Iceland that had COVID-19 and oxygen saturation ≤94% from 28 February 2020 to 30 April 2021 were offered a clinical follow-up visit with an interview, a 6 min walk test (6MWT), spirometry with gas exchange measurement and chest CT. The results of these examinations were described, grouped by the level of care during acute illness. The associations of disease severity and CT abnormalities at follow-up with subjective dyspnoea, 6MWT results and lung function test results were estimated with regression analyses.

Results

Of 190 eligible patients, 164 (86%) participated in the study. Of those, 32 had never been admitted to hospital, 103 were admitted to hospital without intensive care and 29 had required intensive care. At a follow-up, need for intensive care during acute illness was associated with shorter walking distance on 6MWT, lower oxygen saturation and lower DLCO. Imaging abnormalities at follow-up were observed for most participants (74%) and the magnitude of these changes was associated with decrements in 6MWT distance, oxygen saturation, forced vital capacity and DLCO.

Conclusions

The findings show that impaired exercise capacity and lung physiology at follow-up were primarily observed for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia that required intensive care treatment and/or had persistent imaging abnormalities.
Clinical, neuroimaging and molecular characteristics ofPPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorders: an expanded series with functional characterisation and genotype–phenotype analysis
Authors: Oyama Nora , Vaneynde Pieter , Reynhout Sara , Pao Emily M , Timms Andrew , Fan Xiao , Foss Kimberly , Derua Rita , Janssens Veerle , Chung Wendy , Mirzaa Ghayda M
Published: October 2022

Background

Variants inPPP2R5D, affecting the regulatory B56δ subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), have been identified in individuals with neurodevelopmental abnormalities. However, the molecular and clinical spectra remain incompletely understood.

Methods

Individuals withPPP2R5Dvariants were enrolled through Simons Variation in Individuals Project/Simons Searchlight. Data were collected from medical history interviews, medical record review, online validated instruments and neuroimaging review. Genetic variants were biochemically characterised.

Results

We studied 76 individuals withPPP2R5Dvariants, including 68 with pathogenic de novo variants, four with a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) and four siblings with a novel dominantly inherited pathogenic variant. Among 13 pathogenic variants, eight were novel and two (p.Glu198Lys and p.Glu200Lys) were highly recurrent. Functional analysis revealed impaired PP2A A/C-subunit binding, decreased short linear interaction motif-dependent substrate binding or both—with the most severe phenotypes associated with variants that completely retained one of these binding characteristics and lost the other—further supporting a dominant-negative disease mechanism. p.Glu198Lys showed the highest C-binding defect and a more severe clinical phenotype. The inherited p.Glu197Gly variant had a mild substrate binding defect, and three of four VUS had no biochemical impact. Common clinical phenotypes were language, intellectual or learning disabilities (80.6%), hypotonia (75.0%), macrocephaly (66.7%), seizures (45.8%) and autism spectrum disorder (26.4%). The mean composite Vineland score was 59.8, and most participants were in the ‘moderate to low’ and ‘low’ adaptive levels in all domains.

Conclusion

Our study delineates the most common features ofPPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorders, expands the clinical and molecular spectrum and identifies genotype–phenotype correlations.
Demonstrating quantum properties of triple photons generated by $$\chi ^3$$ processes
Authors: Bencheikh Kamel , Cenni Marina F. B. , Oudot Enky , Boutou Véronique , Félix Corinne , Prades Joel Compte , Vernay Augustin , Bertrand Julien , Bassignot Florent , Chauvet Mathieu , Bussières Félix , Zbinden Hugo , Levenson Ariel , Boulanger Benoît
Published: October 2022

Triple-photon generation (TPG) is based on a third-order nonlinear optical interaction, which is the most direct way to produce pure quantum three-photon states. These states can exhibit three-body quantum correlations, and their statistics cannot be reproduced by any Gaussian statistics of coherent sources or optical parametric twin-photon generator, making them potentially useful for quantum information processing tasks such as quantum state distillation, quantum error-correction and universal quantum computing. Furthermore, the generation of entangled photon pairs heralded by the detection of a third photon can be used in advanced quantum communication protocols. We made the first experimental demonstration of TPG in 2004 using a bi-stimulation scheme in a bulk KTP crystal, followed by the quantum theory. The new challenges are now to achieve a spontaneous TPG and the corresponding quantum experiments and protocols using oriented ridge KTP waveguides, which ensures both birefringence phase-matching and light confinement. The waveguides are cut by a precision dicing saw. We recently performed their characterization using third-harmonic generation measurements, which showed their good quality. A rate of about 5 triplets per second is expected when pumping a 5-cm-long waveguide with a 5-W 532 nm beam in the CW regime. Such a spontaneous TPG exhibits low rate of triple photons, which makes the certification of quantum features hard. In this article, we review our theoretical and experimental work on TPG and the associated quantum modeling. We also develop theoretical tools for the certification of quantum features of spontaneous triple-photon states.

Graphic abstract
A Diagnosis Not to Miss: A Case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome
Authors: Choy Jenny , Sethi Vikas , Mosco-Guzman Jose , Hoffman Thomas , Connelly Weston
Published: October 2022

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is a rare disease attributed to complications of pelvic inflammatory disease secondary to chlamydia or gonorrhea infections. Patients generally complain of vague abdominal pain that is often acute in onset, with or without genitourinary complaints. We present a case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome with a young female who presents with a complaint of right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 2 months’ duration. She initially had no genitourinary complaints. She underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy and cholecystectomy during which adhesions from the lateral liver to the abdominal wall were visualized. The cholecystectomy did not relieve her pain. She later complained of abnormal vaginal bleeding for 15 days one month prior to her admission, unbeknownst to the medical team on admission. A chlamydia DNA probe test was positive, and the diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome was made.
The Feasibility of Choosing D4 Embryo Transfer—Analysis of Nanomaterials Affecting the Outcome of Frozen-Thaw Embryo Transfer
Authors: Tan Chang , Wang Xiliang , Luo Lishuang , Zhang Jinyan , Zou Pengshu , Wei Wei , Yu Yuexin
Published: October 2022

FET is to resuscitate the endometrium and transfer the embryo into the uterus after the endometrium is ready. The quality of transferred embryos is an important factor affecting the outcome of assisted reproductive technology. This paper aims to explore the feasibility of D4 frozen-thaw embryo transfer and analysis of related factors affecting the outcome of freeze-thaw embryo transfer. A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 2925 patients who received frozen-thaw embryo transfer (FET) in the Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from January 1, 2017 to July 31, 2019. Including the woman’s age, body mass index (BMI), endometrial thickness on the day of transplantation, number of embryos to be transferred, and type of embryos to be transferred. A single factor, multivariate logistic regression and nomogram were used to analyze the influence of different factors on the clinical outcome of FET. Nanomedicines and related nanomedicines are rapidly developing and establishing their importance in embryo transfer. This paper uses nanomaterials to explore the feasibility of D4 frozen-thawed embryo transfer. The woman’s age, endometrial thickness on the day of transplantation, BMI, the number of embryos transferred, and the type of embryos transferred all affect the outcome of FET. The pregnancy rate of the D5 and D4 transplantation groups was, respectively, higher than that of the D3 transplantation group, with statistically significant differences. In the FET cycle, the age of the woman, endometrial thickness on the day of transplantation, the number of embryos transferred, and the type of embryos transferred are all independent factors influencing the outcome of FET. D5 blastocyst is the easiest to get pregnant, and that has the best clinical outcome which is better than the D6 blastocyst group; D4 morula and D5 blastocyst FET have little difference in clinical pregnancy outcomes, but both of them are significantly better than D3 cell embryos, so D4 morula can be considered for transplantation in the FET cycle. In conclusion, whether it is a patient who has failed the fresh cycle transplantation or the whole embryo freezing cycle whose transplantation is canceled due to high hormone levels on the transplantation day, FET is required.
Treatability Studies on the Optimization of Ozone and Carbon Dosages for the Effective Removal of Contaminants from Secondary Treated Effluent
Authors: Kumar P. Ganesh , Kanmani S. , Kumar P. Senthil
Published: October 2022

This study investigates the novel and advanced integrated pilot-scale treatment system of removal of contaminants in the secondary effluent from municipal wastewater. The main intent of this work is to assess the combination of pressure sand filter (PSF), ultrafiltration (UF), ozone (O3), and granular activated carbon (GAC) to treat wastewater and evaluate its suitability for water reuse. The experiments were carried out in a following condition: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. Configuration 1 was found to be more effective when compared to the other two and almost there occurred complete removal of contaminants. Whereas configuration 2 had the lowest removal efficiency of all, and configuration 3 had quite positive results. The influence of process parameters such as ozone dosage, flow rate, and filtration time was optimized. The optimized filtration time was 20 min with the filtration feed flow rate of 300 LPH. The best configuration of this treatment process produced a removal efficiency of about 80 to 90% with the ozone dosage of 8.33 mg/L with a flow rate of 4 l/min, whereas there occurred complete removal by the subsequent action of GAC. Moreover, the biodegradability of wastewaters as measured by the BOD5/COD ratio increased from 0.45 to 0.53. The proposed integrated pilot-scale process was effective in removing contaminants to the required level of discharge in the environment or reuse and it will pave the way to provide significant benefits to wastewater treatment.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from Chronic Osteomyelitis in the Extremities: Treatment Approach and Oncological Outcomes—A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Bryce-Alberti Mayte , Gonzalez M. R. , Quevedo-Ramirez Andres , Pretell-Mazzini Juan
Published: October 2022

Aims. In chronic osteomyelitis-derived squamous cell carcinoma, what are the demographic and clinical variables, risk factors associated with worse outcomes, and results of treatment modalities used? Methods. A systematic review was performed using PubMed and EMBASE. Articles were evaluated for inclusion and exclusion criteria, and for quality analysis. PRISMA guidelines were applied. Demographic and clinical data and therapeutic approaches were presented narratively and in descriptive statistics registered at PROSPERO. Results. Most patients were male (40/49), trauma was the most common etiology (27/36), and about half of all SCC were in the tibia (25/48). Amputation was the main definitive treatment (42/47). Adjuvant treatments were not analyzed. Well-differentiated SCC accounted for 58.3% (21/36) of all tumors. Bone invasion was described in 82.8% (24/29); recurrence, in 7.7% (3/39); and metastasis, in 7.7% (3/39). Recurrence and metastasis occurred more frequently when bone invasion was present (

p
=
0.578

and

p
=
0.646

, respectively). SCC with lymph node involvement showed a higher tendency to metastasize (

p
=
0.377

). Compared with limb salvage, amputation was associated with a tendency for less recurrence (

p
=
0.312

) and longer survival (

p
=
0.219

). Conclusions. COM-derived SCC mostly occurs after trauma and is usually located in the tibia. Bone invasion is common, and patients predominantly undergo amputation. This treatment is associated with a trend toward higher survival, compared to limb salvage.
Optimized Efficiency at Two Optimum Operations of a Stochastically Driven Quantum Dot Heat Engine
Authors: Bassie Yigermal , Birhanu Tibebe , Abebe Yoseph , Bekele Mulugeta
Published: October 2022

We take a stochastically driven single-level quantum dot embedded between two metallic leads at different temperatures works as a heat engine. We numerically study the optimized efficiency at two optimum operations, which lies between the maximum and minimum efficiency. The minimum efficiency either takes the efficiency value at maximum power or the lowest possible value, zero. Using a unified criterion for energy converters, we find the optimum working condition for the heat engine. We study the optimized efficiency of a quantum dot heat engine according to the optimization criteria to find their corresponding optimized quantities in an external magnetic field (stochastic driving force). Accordingly, we found (1) efficiency-wise, optimized efficiency is better than efficiency at maximum power; (2) power-wise, the optimized power is smaller than its value at maximum power by

35
%

; and (3) period-wise, it performs the task in a cycle twice that of the period at maximum power. We study the overall performance of the heat engine by introducing a figure of merit that considers the contribution of each of the above quantities as a function of Carnot efficiency. Based on the proposed figure of merit, the model shows that the second optimization criteria are 3 times better than the first optimization criteria as a function of Carnot efficiency.
Financial Management Performance Evaluation of Institutions on the Basis of Intuitive Fuzzy Information
Authors: Jiang Qingqing , Zhao Zhuming
Published: October 2022

As government reform continues to progress, institutions are also involved in this wave of reform. To be specific, there have been changes in both the structure and scope of operations of institutions. The continuous improvement of the socialist market system has further stimulated the reform of financial management. Nowadays, unlike enterprises, the financial management system of institutions is backward and the subjective nature of financial management is poor, which is far from meeting the needs of reform and development. As a result, in order to enhance the efficiency of the use of funds in institutions, financial management should adapt to the needs of reform and development and follow the trend of reform. In addition, the financial management system should adapt to the development of the times and the concept of financial management should keep pace with the times. Furthermore, with the reform of China’s political system and the rapid development of the market economy, there are more and more uncertainties in the management of the daily affairs of the grassroots institutions, which brings more and more pressure on the management of local financial affairs. As a result, in order to improve the efficiency of grassroots financial management and effectively adjust the financial management activities of government and departments at all levels, the transition from manual income and expenditure management to information technology has become an inevitable trend. To perform public duties, the important material basis of business units is fixed assets. In recent years, with the increasing proportion of fixed assets in the total assets of the society, the problems of fixed asset management in institutions have become more and more obvious, such as focusing on the management of budgetary funds but neglecting the management of fixed assets, irregular basic work, disconnection between business and financial management, unbalanced allocation, low efficiency in use, and low activation rate of fixed assets, as well as even loss of fixed assets. Financial management performance evaluation has achieved some research and practical results. As an extended field, performance evaluation of state-owned asset management is gradually being emphasized by theoretical and practical circles. As a public service function of institutions, it is necessary to have a material basis to perform. Performance evaluation of state-owned asset management in institutions can improve the level of asset management, achieve higher management performance, and ultimately realize the purpose of providing high-quality public services needed by society. As a result, this study takes this as the starting point to establish a performance evaluation model around the financial performance management funds of institutions.
Experimental Study on Gas-Solid Heat Transfer Characteristics for the Vertical Waste Heat Recovery Using the Inverse Problem Method
Authors: Zhang Sizong , Wen Zhi , Xing Yi , Liu Xunliang , Zhang Hui , Xiong Yaxuan
Published: October 2022

To establish an accurate model to optimize the vertical cooling process of the sinter, the inverse problem method is used to calculate the gas-solid heat transfer coefficient based on the gas outlet temperature, which is fitted into the correlation. The research indicates that the increase in the gas velocity is beneficial to the enhancement of the gas-solid heat transfer. With the gas velocity

u

g

increasing from 0.8 m·s-1 to 1.6 m·s-1, the heat transfer coefficient

h

v

increases by about twice. But this effect will weaken with the increase in the particle size. Besides, the reduction of the particle size is conducive to improving the convective heat transfer intensity between the gas and solid. With the particle size decreasing, this enhancement effect is progressively evident. At

u

g

of 0.8 m·s-1, the increasing extent of

h

v

is 1142.25 W·m-3·K-1 with the particle size decreasing from 20~25 mm to 15~20 mm, while that is 3152.65 W·m-3·K-1 with the particle size decreasing from 15~20 mm to 10~15 mm. In addition, the variation of the measured value of the Nusselt number with the Reynolds number has the same trend as predicted values obtained by other works. However, there is a considerable deviation in the value. Among them, the minimum value of the mean relative error is 26.81%. It is proved that the previous empirical correlations are no longer applicable, while the predicted value of this work is in good agreement with the measured value with the mean deviation of only 7.61%. Therefore, the modified correlation can accurately predict the gas-solid heat transfer characteristics in the sinter bed, which lays a foundation for the numerical design and optimization of the new process.
Mechanical Properties of the Epoxy Resin Composites Modified by Nanofiller under Different Aging Conditions
Authors: Lu S. J. , Yang T. , Xiao X. , Zhu X. Y. , Wang J. , Zang P. Y. , Liu J. A.
Published: October 2022

The effects of aging conditions on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin (EP) with halloysite nanotube (HNT) were studied. The aging conditions include soaking in water at various temperatures, soaking in acid solution, soaking in alkali solution, thermal shock cycling (TSC), and soaking coupled with subsequent thermal shock cycling (i.e., composite aging conditions). Under aging conditions, the EP is degraded, plasticized, and swelled, resulting in different degrees of cracks and pores in EP. The tensile and bending properties of EP and HNT/EP nanocomposites decreased after aging, indicating that the durability of the EP decreased under aging conditions. The addition of HNT could improve the immersion aging resistance and delay the immersion aging behavior of EP. Under TSC conditions, the reduction in mechanical properties of HNT/EP nanocomposites with HNT is slightly more than that of the neat EP due to different thermal expansion coefficients between HNT and EP. The fracture morphology and chemical change were studied to reveal the aging degradation mechanisms in the presence of HNT addition.
Coordination of a Decentralized System with a Mobile Platform and an App by a Bilateral Advertising Contract
Authors: Zhu Jinjie , Liu Shulin
Published: October 2022

A previous study investigates the advertising strategies of the platform and App by assuming that the platform’s advertisement will increase the number of the App’s users, but the App’s advertisement will not increase the number of the platform’s users; and the platform overcharges the App and takes the advertising fee as a source of its revenue. However, the existing users of the App may recommend the App to the users who have not used it. As a result, the App’s advertisement may increase the number of the platform’s users. Additionally, it is not reasonable that the platform takes the advertising fee of the App as a source of its revenue. These motivate us to reanalyze the previous work. This paper reanalyzes the previous work by additionally assuming that the App’s advertisement will increase the number of the platform’s users and assuming that the platform receives its revenue from its users and shares a proportion of the App’s sales revenue and the App receives its revenues from its users and a proportion of its advertising cost subsidized by the platform. We find that these new assumptions have some significant effects on the previous results. We use dynamical optimization approaches to analyze a decentralized system and find the two parties’ optimal advertisement efforts and proportions. To achieve the efficiency of the integrated system that is proved to be more efficient than the decentralized system, we design a bilateral advertising contact for the decentralized system and show that there exists a unique contact that can coordinate the decentralized system. We find that both parties are better off under some mild conditions and the proportion that the platform bears the App’s advertising cost becomes greater with the contract than without the contract. We have gained some managerial insights.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of β-Carotene Adsorption onto Acid-Activated Clays Modified by Zero Valent Iron
Authors: Nga J. , Avom J. , Tonga Limbe J. , Ndinteh D. , Assonfack H. L. , Kede C. M.
Published: October 2022

The adsorption of β-carotene from crude palm oil onto acid-activated clay and clay modified by zero valent iron (ZVI) was investigated in this work. Spectroscopic studies including FTIR, XRD, and SEM were used for its characterization. The adsorption characteristics such as kinetics, mechanism, isotherms, and thermodynamics of β-carotene were studied. The kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-first-order kinetic equation, pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, and intraparticle diffusion model. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model is the only one that describes the experimental data well (R2 ≥ 0.969). The chemical analysis of bulk clay showed that the predominant oxides are Al2O3 (57.91 wt%), Fe2O3 (32.54 wt%), SiO2 (3.09 wt%), K2O (2.37 wt%), and CaO2 (1.73 wt%). The adsorption capacity increases with an increase in temperature. The equilibrium data were described better by the Freundlich model for all clays. To determine the best fit kinetic model for each system, three error analysis methods, namely, chi-square (χ2), residual mean squared error (RMSE), and mean percent error (%APE) were used to evaluate the data. A thermodynamic study demonstrated that β-carotene adsorption is spontaneous, endothermic, and an entropy driven process for both forms of clay.
Multimodal Classification Technique for Fall Detection of Alzheimer’s Patients by Integration of a Novel Piezoelectric Crystal Accelerometer and Aluminum Gyroscope with Vision Data
Authors: Mohan Gowda V. , Arakeri Megha P. , Raghu Ram Prasad Vasireddy
Published: October 2022

Smart expert systems line up with various applications to enhance the quality of lifestyle of human beings, such as major applications for smart health monitoring systems. An intelligent assistive system is one such application to assist Alzheimer’s patients in carrying out day-to-day activities and real-time monitoring by the caretakers. Fall detection is one of the tasks of an assistive system; many existing methods primarily focus on either vision or sensor data. Vision-based methods suffer from false positive results because of occlusion, and sensor-based methods yield false results because of the patient’s long-term lying posture. We address this problem by proposing a multimodel fall detection system (MMFDS) with hybrid data, which includes both vision and sensor data. Random forest and long-term recurrent convolution networks (LRCN) are the primary classification algorithms for sensor data and vision data, respectively. MMFDS integrates sensor and vision data to enhance fall detection accuracy by incorporating an ensemble approach named majority voting for the hybrid data. On evaluating the proposed work on the UP fall detection dataset, accuracy was enhanced to 99.2%, with an improvement in precision, F1 score, and recall.
Expression Profiles of Differentially Expressed Circular RNAs and circRNA–miRNA–mRNA Regulatory Networks in SH-SY5Y Cells Infected with Coxsackievirus B5
Authors: Li Jing , Yang Heng , Shi Huaran , Zhang Jihong , Chen Wei
Published: October 2022

Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) is the causative agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) that can cause neurological complications and fatalities. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been shown to play an important role in regulating pathogenic processes. However, the functions of circRNA in response to CVB5 infection remain unclear. In our research, RNA-seq was employed to analyze the expression profiles of circRNAs in SH-SY5Y cells with or without CVB5 infection. Out of 5,665 circRNAs identified to be expressed in SH-SY5Y cells, 163 circRNAs were found to be differentially expressed significantly. Moreover, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that the differentially expressed circRNAs were mainly involved in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and signaling pathways during CVB5 infection. Additionally, RT-qPCR was used to validate the RNA-seq data, and a circRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction network was constructed based on two circRNAs, such as hsa_circ_0008378 and novel_circ_0014617, which were associated with the regulation of innate immune response in host cells. Additionally, we confirmed the two circRANs up-regulated the key factors in the IFN-I signaling pathway, hampering viral replication. Our data provide a new perspective that facilitates further understanding of the virus-host mechanism.
Intradiscal Autologous Platelet‐Rich Plasma Injection for Discogenic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Liu Dongyang , Gong Qingjuan , Chen Jinsheng , Wan Li
Published: October 2022

Background. Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) contains high concentrations of growth factors and cytokines and may promote healing and tissue formation and exert anti‐inflammatory effects. PRP has been shown to improve intervertebral disc degeneration in vivo and in vitro. This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of autologous PRP on discogenic low back pain (DLBP) at 48 weeks postinjection in patients who received a single intradiscal injection. Methods. All patients received a single intradiscal injection of PRP in a prospective trial. The pain scores, lumbar function, and adverse events were assessed at 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks postinjection and compared to the preinjection values (0 weeks). Results. Data were analysed from 31 patients with a 94% follow‐up rate. Compared to preinjection, pain and lumbar function were significantly improved, and there were significant differences (P < 0.05) over the 48‐week follow‐up. Twenty‐two (71%) patients were classified as successes after the intradiscal injection of PRP. One patient received surgery at two weeks postinjection due to intervertebral discitis. Conclusions. Intradiscal injection of PRP can significantly relieve pain sensation and improve lumbar function in patients with DLBP over a 48‐week follow‐up period. Further randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to assess the effects of this injection therapy.