bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diverse Co(II) Coordination Polymers with the Same Mixed Ligands: Evaluation for Chemical Stability and Structural Transformation
Authors: Lee Chia-Yi , Ye Yu-Hui , Wang Song-Wei , Chen Jhy-Der
Published: March 2024

Reactions of Co(OAc)24H2O, N‚N'-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)oxalamide (L) and 4,4’-sulfonyldibenzoic acid (H2SDA) afforded four coordination polymers with the same mixed ligands, {[Co(L)(SDA)(H2O)2]·H2O·CH3OH}n, 1, {[Co(L)0.5(SDA)]·2H2O·0.5L}n, 2, {[Co(L)1.5(SDA)(H2O)]·H2O}n, 3, and {[Co2(L)1.5(SDA)2(H2O)2]·4H2O}n, 4, which have been structurally characterized by using single crystal X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1 – 4 are 2D layers, revealing the topologies of sql, 2,6L1, (4,4)Ia and 6L12, respectively, and demonstrating that the metal to ligand ratio, solvent system and reaction temperature are important in determining the structural diversity. Immersion of these complexes into various solvents show that the structural types govern the chemical stabilities of 1 – 4. Reversible structural transformation can be shown for complexes 1 and 2 upon solvent removal and adsorption, while those of 3 and 4 are irreversible.
From Lab to Life: Exploring Cutting-Edge Models for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Tanaka Masaru , Vécsei László
Published: March 2024

Delve into the dynamic realms of neuroscience, neurology, and psychiatry with this groundbreaking editorial, unveiling the intricate mechanisms of brain function and dysfunction. Explore the latest advancements in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, pharmacology, and neuroimaging that are revolutionizing our understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Uncover the challenges and gaps in translating cutting-edge research into practical clinical applications, aiming to enhance the lives of patients and their families. Discover the pivotal role of neuroplasticity in reshaping the brain's adaptability throughout life, alongside the promising potential of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation. Embark on a journey of innovation and collaboration as researchers and clinicians strive to bridge the gap between bench and bedside, offering hope for improved diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of complex neurological and psychiatric conditions. Join us in this exploration of transformative ideas and novel interventions that hold the key to a brighter future for individuals and society.
Optical Insight: Spectrophotometry as a Tool to Quantify Cell Density of Green Microalgae in Suspension, with Emphasis on Growing Conditions and Toxicological Evaluations
Authors: Pessoa Jassiara da Silva , Almeida Ana Claudia O. de , Santos Lais F. dos , Oliveira Therezinha M. N. de , Martins César C. , Matias William Gerson , Melegari Silvia P.
Published: March 2024

Microalgae are highly attractive to various industrial sectors and can serve as indicators of aquatic environmental health. An essential step for cultivating microalgae is assessing the cell density, which is traditionally performed through viable cell counting by optical microscopy (OM). However, this method has some limitations, such as the time involved in the process of counting, and the need for specialized training of laboratory personnel. Spectrophotometry is an affordable alternative, especially when applied to culture growth and toxicological tests. We chose the wavelength of 680 nm to detect the optical density (OD) of the green freshwater microalga Desmodesmus subspicatus and green the marine microalga Tetraselmis sp. The correlation between the number of cells and OD was suitable for both microalgae and accuracy was comparable to traditional OM counting. In toxicological tests, the OD technique allowed the monitoring of microalgal growth in the presence of the chemicals potassium dichromate, potassium chloride and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), with results very close to those reported in the scientific literature. This study sheds light on this well-known technique, which is an important contribution since few articles have explored its potentialities and fragilities, showing the successful application to monitoring green microalgal cultures and toxicological assays.
Pavement Crack Detection of UAV Autonomous Inspection System for Mountainous Roads
Authors: Xinbao Chen , Chenxi Wang , Chang Liu , Zhu Xiaodong , Yaohui Zhang , Tianxiang Luo , Junhao Zhang
Published: March 2024

Road cracks significantly affect the serviceability and safety of roadways, especially in mountainous terrain. Traditional inspection methods, such as manual detection, are excessively time-consuming, labor-intensive, and inefficient. Additionally, multi-function detection vehicles equipped with various sensors are expensive and not suitable for mountainous roads due to poor conditions. To address these challenges, this study proposes a customized Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) inspection system designed for automatic crack detection. The system focuses on enhancing autonomous capabilities in mountainous terrains by incorporating embedded algorithms for route planning, autonomous navigation, and automatic crack detection. The slide window method is proposed to enhance the autonomous navigation of UAV flights by generating path planning in mountainous roads. This method compensates for GPS/IMU positioning errors, particularly in GPS-denied or GPS-drift scenarios. Moreover, the YOLOv8 algorithm is introduced to conduct autonomous crack detection from UAV imagery in the offboard module. To validate our UAV inspection system's performance, we conducted several experiments to assess its accuracy, robustness, and efficiency. The experimental results demonstrate that our UAS inspection system accurately estimates the flight trajectory along the mountainous road for autonomous navigation. Furthermore, the experimental detection results also demonstrate that the YOLOv8 algorithm achieves higher recognition accuracy compared to the YOLOv5, and YOLOv7-tiny algorithms, exceeding 3.1%,and 6.8% of mAP, respectively. In summary, the UAV inspection system proposed in this study can provide a useful tool and technological guidance for the regular inspection of mountainous roads.
Costly Incrementalism: U.S. PKK Policy and Relations with Türkiye
Authors: Outzen Richard
Published: March 2024

U.S. policy towards the PKK, a designated Foreign Terror Organization, has
varied significantly over four decades, reflecting a clear periodization based
on pragmatic policy interests and the interplay of U.S. actions and Turkish
responses. Washington has over time supported Turkish counter-PKK actions
without direct involvement; actively supported Turkish counter-PKK efforts;
tolerated or tacitly supported PKK activities; and directly instrumentalized
and supported the PKK in Syria and regionally. Washington’s evolving stance
toward the PKK coincided with the rise of Al Qaeda (AQ) and its offshoot, the
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as the focus of U.S. Middle East policy.
The evolution reflected an incremental approach that subordinated U.S.-Turkish
relations and other regional problems to the campaign against AQ/IS. Bilateral
cooperation suffered as incrementalism, low trust, and transactionalism came to
characterize the relationship. This paper examines the history, current dynamics,
and possible future trajectory of U.S. PKK policy as a problem in U.S.-Turkish
bilateral relations.
The Qur'an in the Modern Era: A Critical Analysis of Contemporary Interpretations
Authors: Bamba Abdoulaye
Published: March 2024

The Qur'an, the sacred book of Muslims, is considered the primary source of divine knowledge and religion. It has been the subject of extensive study by scholars of various disciplines for decades. To preserve the faithful transmission of his teachings, strict rules have been established to which all scholars must conform.However, in recent decades, some works have emerged which are subject to inconsistency with the carefully established rules. In this article, we will focus on a critical and scientific approach to certain opinions and ideas formulated in the books of NICOLAÏ Sinai, entitled "The Qur'an: A historical-critical Introduction" and Abdullah Saeed, entitled "The Qur'an: An Introduction." This article aims to present an objective and rigorous analysis while highlighting the points of disagreement and the outstanding questions concerning the interpretations presented in these works. From this observation, the article will highlight the discrepancies with some of the concepts advanced in these books using a qualitative research methodology.
Nuevos aportes al problema del agustinismo político y los orígenes teóricos de la estatalidad moderna
Authors: Álvarez Greco Rodrigo
Published: March 2024

Siguiendo a Eric Voegelin, cabría preguntarse si el agustinismo político contribuyó a la desdivinización del poder temporal o, por el contrario, sentó las bases para su redivinización moderna. La crónica Historia de duabus Civitatibus de Otón de Freising es un texto paradigmático que permitiría resolver esta cuestión, pues en ella el autor desarrolla la teoría de la civitas permixta, es decir, la mezcla de las dos ciudades agustinianas en la historia. Tratándose de un pensador del siglo XII, tal concepto parece surgir de cierto acervo cultural heredado que se manifiesta en forma de conceptos simbólicos. Uno de esos conceptos es el de rex et sacerdos y resulta clave para comprender el pensamiento político de Otón de Freising y descubrir en él, si cabe, ciertos principios que pudieron haber servido como fundamento para la construcción de la estatalidad moderna en los siglos ulteriores.
Female Rulers, Motherhood and Happiness: A Reconsideration of Averroes’ Comparison of Women to Plants
Authors: Melkebeek Tineke
Published: March 2024

This article analyses Averroes/Ibn Rushd´s (d. 1198) views on motherhood in his commentary on Plato´s Republic. The starting point for this inquiry is Averroes´ comparison of the women in his society to plants. Averroes argues that performing  the duties of motherhood, i.e. being children´s primary caregiver, does not constitute nor involve any form of human virtue. Averroes´ low esteem for activities of motherhood has hitherto been ignored. This paper argues that the comparison of women to plants does not hinge on societal criticism solely but on at least two additional factors: Aristotle on plants in De Anima and on this low appreciation for tasks of parenthood. Furthermore, this paper aims to show that the latter is incompatible with Aristotle´s views in his ethics and biology, which emphasize, respectively, the friendship that characterizes the parent-child relationship and the intelligence and virtue needed to raise the next generation.
Manajemen Risiko Metode Pembayaran Cash On Delivery Shopee E-Commerce
Authors: Rahayu Rina Puji , Damanuri Aji
Published: March 2024

Cash On Delivery is a payment method provided to customers by online marketplace companies. However, various problems arose with continued shopping promotions with the Cash On Delivery payment method. The research was conducted using a descriptive method with a qualitative approach based on data sources from literature and observation. This study aims to provide an overview of the risks regarding the Cash On Delivery payment method from the point of view of online sellers and to analyze Shopee's policy on handling the risks associated with the Cash On Delivery payment method. The results showed that the factors behind unilateral cancellation of transactions using Cash On Delivery payments were caused by the buyer changing his mind, the buyer not having the money to pay, the buyer accidentally ordering or clicking checkout, the buyer could not be contacted (no response), and the order was not fit/damaged. The risks faced by sellers from this method are loss of human resources, risk of financial loss, loss of time, and risk of decreased store performance. Shopee has implemented several policies to minimize risk, but Shopee must improve the pay on the Delivery feature. Given that the unilateral cancellation of the customer is very detrimental to the seller.
Dispensasi Perkawinan oleh Hakim PA Ponorogo Perspektif Peraturan Mahkamah Agung Nomor 5 Tahun 2019
Authors: Tifani M. Akhlis Azamuddin , Junaidi Ahmad
Published: March 2024

The concern in this study is about the judges' decisions, with 96% of decisions that legalize marriage dispensation applications. This fact contradicts the spirit of Supreme Court Regulation Number 5 of 2019, which seeks to minimize the number of underage marriages. Some of these problems become the researchers' anxiety in finding out about several things, including; 1) The paradigm of Ponorogo Religious Court Judges in handling marriage dispensation cases, 2) the effectiveness of the implementation of Supreme Court Regulation Number 5 of 2019 by Ponorogo Religious Court Judges in the case of marriage dispensation.
Strategi Pengelolaan Wakaf Uang di Pondok Modern Tazakka
Authors: Setyawan Wawan Tyas , Rofi'ah Khusniati
Published: March 2024

The understanding of waqf is not evenly distributed among the people, especially regardingwaqf and types of waqf, productive management of waqf land assets is not yet optimal, naziris not professional. Waqf management is closely related to Nadzir's ability to manage. Inorder to expedite the management of cash waqf which is still quite unfamiliar to thecommunity, it is necessary to increase both knowledge and management. The research in thispaper aims to determine the cash waqf management organization in Islamic Boarding SchoolTazakka, to find out cash waqf management products in Islamic Boarding School Tazakka andto find out the impact of cash waqf management on Islamic Boarding School Tazakka. Thisresearch is a type of field research using a qualitative approach. Data obtained with primaryand secondary data. The results of this study. First, there is the management of cash waqf atthe Tazakka Modern Islamic Boarding School, Batang City. The management model atPondok Modern Tazakka is generally the same as other institutions, namely the wakif handsover his assets to the nadzir to be managed and then the wakif receives a cash waqf certificate.The management is seen from six aspects, namely the use of cash waqf, cash waqfmanagement team, waqf instruments, cash waqf limits, Islamic financial institutions andcash waqf certificates. The two types of waqf that are applied in Islamic Boarding SchoolTazakka is easily accepted in society. The three have an impact on the development of Islamicboarding schools and community acceptance
Association between D-dimer concentrations and Glasgow Coma Scale in patients with hemorrhagic stroke
Authors: Dai Da peng , Zhang Hongwei , Sun Yong , Li Ai min
Published: March 2024

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between D-dimer concentrations and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and examine any effect modifiers in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.
Methods: A total of 627 participants with complete data were included in the final analysis.
Results: The median of D-dimer concentration was 142.0 ng/ml (interquartile range: 60.0-273.5). The mean (SD) of age, GCS levels and D-dimer concentrations after transformations (BOXCOX method) were 61.0 years (12.0), 13.6 (2.5), and 8.5 ng/ml (4.3), respectively. Compared with participants with severe GCS scores (<9), those with mild (≥13) (β= -1.37; 95%CI: -2.67, -0.08) and moderate GCS scores (9≤GCS <13) (β= -1.64; 95%CI: -3.11, -0.16) had significantly lower D-dimer levels. Consistently, significantly lower D-dimer levels were found in participants with mild or moderate GCS scores (GCS ≥9; β= -1.43; 95%CI: -2.71, -0.15) compared with those with severe GCS scores (GCS <9). In the stratified analysis, a stronger inverse association between GCS categories (≥9 vs. <9) and D-dimer concentrations was observed in participants with lower platelet count (<194 *10^9/L vs. ≥194 *10^9/L; P for interaction =0.017).
Conclusion: There was an inverse association between GCS and D-dimer concentrations among patients with hemorrhagic stroke, especially in participants with lower platelet counts.
Advanced DC-DC Converter Topologies to Boost the Voltage Gain for High Voltage Applications
Authors: Hassan Zahid , Khan M. A , Islam Md. Rabiul
Published: March 2024

High-gain dc-dc converter is used in renewable energy systems, electric vehicles,power supply applications, etc. Presently, various types of dc to dc converters are invented, which have several advantages and drawbacks. Two advanced topologies of high-voltage dc-dc converters are proposed in this paper. In both topologies,the high-voltage gain comes true by cascading voltage multiplier cells. Both proposed converters have only one switch and inductor, which reduces the design complexity and cost. Both converters have less voltage stress, which increases their efficiency. The first proposed converter has more voltage gain than the second converter, and the overall voltage gain of both converters is much higher than the conventional dc-dc step-up converters. By taking 10 voltage multiplier cells and a 0.5 duty ratio, the output voltage of first converter is 960v for 12V input voltage, and for 0.25 duty ratio and the same number of voltage multiplier cells, the second converter output voltage is 480V for the same input voltage. To confirmand validate of the proposed converters, Matlab simulation software is used. The operating principle and the design considerations under continuous conduction mode are described.
Hybrid Neural Network Wind Speed Prediction Based on Secondary Decomposition and Weighted Averaging
Authors: Bi Qi , Bai Yu-long , Hou Zai-hong , Wang Rui
Published: March 2024

The randomicity and fluctuation of the wind speed will influence the precision of the forecast. To improve the precision of wind speed forecast, this paper presents a new method of combined wind speed forecast based on the second decomposition and weighted average. First, the ICEEMDAN decomposition method is used to get different sub-sequences, and then the fuzzy entropy is used to judge the degree of confusion of the sub-sequences. In this paper, the ARIMA model is used to predict the minimum fuzzy entropy. And the other subsequences are decomposed by BPNN, VMD and predicted by NAR and BP neural network with suitable weighting ratio for weighted average and PSO-LSTM neural network respectively, and ultimately all the predicted values are superimposed to get the final prediction. Experiments were conducted using three datasets and eight comparison models to verify the validity of this model. The prediction analysis was carried out using the actual measured data of a wind farm in Inner Mongolia, and the results indicated that (1) using fuzzy entropy can effectively improve the prediction precision; (2) the prediction accuracy of the combined prediction method of neural network based on secondary decomposition was greatly improved and the prediction results were more reliable; (3) Decompose one of the subsequences with VMD, predict it with NAR and BP neural network, and choose appropriate weight ratio for weighted average prediction will achieve better prediction results; (4) the root mean square error (RMSE) of the hybrid model on the three wind speed 1 datasets were 0.28777, 0.22786 and 0.17128, which are lower than the comparison values of other models. So, it is workable to use this hybrid model in wind speed prediction.
A complete chromosome substitution mapping panel reveals genome-wide epistasis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Keurentjes Joost , Wijnen Cris , Botet Ramon , de Belt Jose van , Deurhof Laurens , de Jong Hans , de Snoo Bastiaan , Dirks Rob , Boer Martin , Eeuwijk Fred A. van , Wijnker Erik
Published: March 2024

Chromosome substitution lines (CSLs) are tentatively supreme resources to investigate non-allelic genetic interactions. However, the difficulty of generating such lines in most species largely yielded imperfect CSL panels, prohibiting a systematic dissection of epistasis. Here, we present the development and use of a unique and complete panel of CSLs in Arabidopsis thaliana, allowing the full factorial analysis of epistatic interactions. A first comparison of reciprocal single chromosome substitutions revealed a dependency of QTL detection on different genetic backgrounds. The subsequent analysis of the complete panel of CSLs enabled the mapping of the genetic interactors and identified multiple two- and three-way interactions for different traits. Some of the detected epistatic effects were as large as any observed main effect, illustrating the impact of epistasis on quantitative trait variation. We, therefore, have demonstrated the high power of detection and mapping of genome-wide epistasis, confirming the assumed supremacy of comprehensive CSL sets.
WITHDRAWN: Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms of the Proliferative Effects of Irisin Combined with Gefitinib on the AML12 Cell Line and the Apoptotic Effects on the HepG2 Cell Line
Authors: ŞUMNULU Deniz , SANCAR Hilal , AYAZ Lokman
Published: March 2024

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn, as it was submitted in error. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
Adaptive Soft Sensor of Stacking Approximate Kernel- Based Broad Learning System for Batch Process
Authors: Zhao Jinlong , Yang Mingyi , Xu Zhigang , Wang Junyi , Yang Xiao , Wu Xinguang
Published: March 2024

To deal with the highly nonlinear and time-varying characteristics of batch process, a model named Moving Window Stacking Approximate Kernel-Based Broad Learning System (MW-Stacking-AKBLS) is proposed in this paper. This model innovatively introduces the AKBLS algorithm and the MW-Stacking framework, giving it strong nonlinear fitting ability, excellent generalization ability, and adaptive ability. The Broad Learning System (BLS) is known for its shorter training time for effective nonlinear processing, but the uncertainty brought by its double random mapping results in poor resistance to noisy data and unpredictable impact on performance. To address this issue, this paper proposes an AKBLS algorithm that reduces uncertainty, eliminates redundant features, and improves prediction accuracy by projecting feature nodes into the kernel space. It also significantly reduces the computation time of the kernel matrix by searching for approximate kernels to enhance its ability in industrial online applications. Extensive comparative experiments on various public datasets of different sizes validate this. The MW-Stacking framework adopts the Stacking ensemble learning method, integrating multiple ABKLS models to enhance the model's generalization ability. Additionally, by adopting the moving window method, the model has been equipped with adaptive ability to better adapt to slow changes in industrial batch process. Finally, comparative experimental results on a substantial dataset of penicillin simulations indicate a significant improvement in predictive accuracy for the proposed MW-Stacking AKBLS model compared to other commonly used algorithms.
Comprehensive expression analysis of ERF transcription factors during chilling acclimation in Saintpaulia
Authors: Kurata Daichi , Fukutomi Kento , Kubo Kanae , Shirasawa Kenta , Hirakawa Hideki , Hosokawa Munetaka
Published: March 2024

Saintpaulia (Saintpaulia ionantha), a popular indoor ornamental potted plant, is native to the highlands of Kenya and Tanzania where temperatures rarely fall below 4°C. Chilling injury caused during cultivation and transportation is a major commercial problem in Saintpaulia. In this study, we investigated chilling acclimation in Saintpaulia ‘Kilauea’. Plants grown at 20°C (14 h light/10 h dark) displayed rapid and severe chilling injury after 24-hour exposure to 4°C. However, chilling injury at 4°C could be dramatically reduced by pre-treating the plants at 10°C but not at 6°C. From whole genome analysis, 161 Ethylene-Responsive Factors (ERFs) were identified and classified into 12 clades according to existing reports. Among these ERFs, 43, 8, and 4 ERFs were upregulated at 12, 24, and 48 h after 10°C treatment, respectively. Most of these ERFs had GCC box and/or DRE/CRT core motifs-like sequences in their upstream regions. Finally, we compared the expression of ERFs between the treatments for 24 h at 10°C, an effective temperature for chilling acclimation, and at 6°C, an ineffective temperature. The results showed that the expressions of all six ERFs we investigated were increased by the 10°C treatment, but not or only barely increased by the 6°C treatment. This study suggests that Saintpaulia, a subtropical plant, also has the ability to acclimate to low temperatures and that ERF upregulation is involved in chilling acclimation.
Finite-time hybrid motion/deformation terminal control for rigid/compliant systems using acceleration-based quadratic objective function
Authors: Li Honghao , Wang Ziang , Wang Xiaoming , Tan Shujun , Zhou Wenya
Published: March 2024

Nowadays, new concepts of active compliant structures employing smart materials are receiving increasing attention to design high-precision lightweight mechanisms, however, bring a new challenge to deformation control system design, especially considering the coupling with rigid motion control. An important issue for such a rigid/compliant system is to realize a fast, smooth hybrid motion/deformation control effect with minimized structural vibration in a given time interval. A rotating compliant manipulator actuated by an electric motor and distributed piezocomposite patches is utilized for investigation towards motion/deformation control. Open-loop simulations imply that structural vibration can be excited by both rigid motion control and deformation control. A finite-time terminal control design approach is developed using a new quadratic objective function which is formulated by (generalized) acceleration, instead of the state (composed of generalized displacement and velocity) and input of the system in regular formulation, to improve the terminal control effect without sharp change in the input profiles. The time-varying control law is obtained by solving a set of DREs. Pure and hybrid motion/deformation control with conventional and new objective functions are presented and discussed. The results imply that more smooth dynamic responses for hybrid motion/deformation control performance with minimized residual vibration can be obtained by using the new acceleration-based objective function, while the state and input at the terminal point are the approximate analytical steady-state. The new objective function also has unique merit in that the associated weighting matrix can be intuitively chosen with better robustness. Hybrid objective functions with a combination of the conventional and new acceleration-based terms can be employed to obtain favorable comprehensive control performance and bring a wider margin for the designers.
Machine Learning Analysis of Biomarkers and Infectious Sites in Elderly Sepsis: Distinguishing Escherichia coli from Non-Escherichia coli Infections with a Random Forest Model
Authors: Li Bu-Ren , Zhuo Ying , Zhang Shi-Yan , Jiang Ying-Ying
Published: March 2024

This study examines the challenge of accurately diagnosing sepsis subtypes in elderly patients, focusing on distinguishing between Escherichia coli and non-E. coli infections. Utilizing machine learning, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 119 elderly sepsis patients, employing a Random Forest model to evaluate clinical biomarkers and infection sites. The model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 87.5%, and impressive precision and recall rates of 93.3% and 87.5%, respectively. It identified infection site, Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), platelet count, and Procalcitonin (PCT) levels as key predictors, while logistic regression underscored the significance of smoking. Achieving an F1 Score of 90.3% and an ROC AUC of 88.0%, our model effectively differentiates between sepsis subtypes. This methodology offers potential for enhancing elderly sepsis diagnosis, improving patient outcomes, and contributing to the advancement of precision medicine in the field of infectious diseases.
Uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and osteoporosis: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Liu Zeyu , Tang Yuchen , Sun Ying , Lei Miao , Cheng Minghuang , Pan Xiaohan , Hu Zhenming , Hao Jie
Published: March 2024

Background: Uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) was a novel indicator reflecting inflammatory and metabolic status. This study aimed to investigate the association between UHR and bone mineral density (BMD), as well as the risk of osteoporosis, in individuals aged 50 years and above.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included participants aged 50 and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was employed to measure femoral neck BMD (FN-BMD). Furthermore, linear regression models were employed to examine the association between UHR and FN-BMD, while generalized additive models were used to assess the nonlinear relationship between UHR and FN-BMD. In addition, logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the association between UHR and the risk of osteoporosis.
Results: Finally, 2,963 adults were included in this study, with a mean age of 64.16 ± 8.92 years. The results of linear regression models revealed a positive association between UHR and FN-BMD with or without adjustment for covariates. Furthermore, the results of logistic regression models suggested that elevated UHR levels were associated with a decreased risk of osteoporosis with or without adjustment for covariates. Moreover, the results of subgroup analysis showed that the positive association between UHR and BMD was observed among individuals aged 65 and older but not those aged 50 to 64 after stratification by age, and interaction analyses for age showed significant differences after adjustment for all covariates.
Conclusions: Clinicians should be alert to the potential risk of osteoporosis among individuals with low UHR levels. UHR might serve as a risk indicator for osteoporosis.
An ensemble method utilising multiple thinking styles that boosts the wisdom of the inner crowd effect
Authors: Fujisaki Itsuki , Yu Lingxi , Tsukamura Yuki , Yang Kunhao , Ueda Kazuhiro
Published: March 2024

Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals can utilize the wisdom of crowds, known as ‘the wisdom of the inner crowd’. This requires them to estimate a single question multiple times, and subsequently average these estimates. Although several methods have been proposed to achieve more accurate estimates, its efficacy remains relatively low. Therefore, this study proposes a method that assembles multiple independent methods to stimulate the wisdom of the inner crowd effect. Particularly, our method instructs participants to provide estimates five times. Through a behavioural experiment, we confirmed that our method can produce the wisdom of the inner crowd effect. Moreover, we found that our method produced more accurate estimates than a method that required participants to estimate five times without specific instructions. Furthermore, mathematical modelling demonstrated that the effectiveness of our method was greater than that of 1.5 persons. In sum, this study proposes a method to improve daily estimates.
Characterization of an efficient waste fat hydrolysing and detergent compactible lipase from newly isolated Pseudomonas mosselii
Authors: Sriniva Mohana Priya , Anandan Dayanandan , Chandrasekar Ajith , Suresh Nandha Kumar
Published: March 2024

Lipase enzyme plays a major role in several industrial processes. The effective production of lipase enzyme from microorganism in a cost-effective manner is in great demand in the current scenario. This study has aimed in producing an effective and high active stable lipase enzyme from Pseudomonas mosselii isolated from the highly polluted cooum river bed soil, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The enzyme showed the high specific activity of 157.94 U/mg. Further optimization studies which include, pH (6.5-7) 110.298 U/ml, temperature (35°C – 40°C) 112.388 U/ml, incubation time (36 hrs) 119.79 U/ml, effective substrate olive oil (1%) 118.05 U/ml and nitrogen source (Peptone 1.5% (w/v)), 150.74 U/ml enhanced the parameters to be considered for the high production of lipase enzyme. The purification process carried out in this study was ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis and column chromatography using Sephadex G-100 as a stationary phase. The characterization studies of partially purified lipase enzymes with parameters enhanced the stability study as follows: pH (6–8), temperature (30°C to 50°C), metal ions (Ca2+) and detergent (Tween 80). The hydrolysis of the waste tallow using the produced lipase showed highest reaction ratio of 83.7% after 72 hrs at 50°C, 82.6% at 40°C and 81.2% at 30°C. The detergent compatible test confirmed that the lipase was compactible with the detergent and the stains were removed efficiently. Thus, this lipase may effectively serve as the feedstock for biodiesel production and as a detergent compactible application.
Sequence and Structural Analysis of human gut microbial Prolyl Oligopeptidases (POPs): towards design of therapeutics for Celiac Disease
Authors: Nayak Soumya , Regati Dheemanth Reddy , Sowdhamini Ramanathan
Published: March 2024

Background
Celiac Disease (CD) is a common autoimmune disorder where the patients are unable to digest gluten, which is present in foods made up of wheat, barley and rye. Whilst diagnosis happens late in 80% of the cases, avoidance of such foods appears to be the common solution. Alternative management strategies are required for the patients and their families since CD is also genetically carried over. Probiotic solutions and the consumption of appropriate enzymes, such as prolyloligopeptidases (POPs), from gut-friendly bacteria could reduce the disease burden and provide a better lifestyle for CD patients.
Results
We have examined around 5,000 gut bacterial genomes and identified nearly 4000 non-redundant putative POPs. A select set of 10 gut bacterial POP sequences were subject to three-dimensional modelling, ligand docking and molecular dynamics simulations where stable interactions were observed between the POPs and gluten peptides.
Conclusions
Our study provides sequence and structural analysis of potential POP enzymes in gut bacterial genomes, which form a strong basis to offer probiotic solutions to CD patients. In particular, these enzymes could be lead future therapeutics for this disease.
Polypharmacy in elective lumbar spinal surgery for degenerative conditions: A MarketScan national database analysis with 24-month follow-up
Authors: Dietz Nicholas , Kumar Chitra , Elsamadicy Aladine A. , Bjurström Martin F. , Wong Katrina , Jamieson Alysha , Sharma Mayur , Wang Dengzhi , Ugiliweneza Beatrice , Drazin Doniel , Boakye Maxwell
Published: March 2024

We sought to identify long-term associations of medical complications and healthcare utilization related to polypharmacy following spinal surgery for degenerative lumbar pathology. The IBM MarketScan dataset was used to select patients who underwent spinal surgery for degenerative lumbar pathology with 2-year follow-up. Regression analysis compared two matched cohorts: those with and without polypharmacy. Of 118,434 surgical patients, 68.1% met criteria for polypharmacy. In the first 30 days after discharge, surgical site infection was observed in 6% of those with polypharmacy and 4% of those without polypharmacy (p<0.0001) and at least one complication was observed in 24% for the polypharmacy group and 17% for the non-polypharmacy group (p<0.0001). At 24 months, patients with polypharmacy were more likely to be diagnosed with pneumonia (48% vs. 37%), urinary tract infection (26% vs. 19%), and surgical site infection (12% vs. 7%), (p<0.0001). The most commonly prescribed medication was hydrocodone (60% of patients) and more than 95% received opioids. Two years postoperatively, the polypharmacy group had tripled overall healthcare utilization payments ($30,288 vs. $9,514), (p<0.0001). Patients taking 5 or more medications concurrently after spinal surgery for degenerative lumbar conditions were more likely to develop medical complications, higher costs, and return to the emergency department.
Different protein sources of larval diet on the rearing of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae): biological and nutritional analyses
Authors: Ongaratto Sabrina , Pinto Karina , Manica-Berto Roberta , Gonçalves Rafael da Silva , Nörnberg Sandro Daniel , Nava Dori Edson , Bernardi Daniel
Published: March 2024

Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered an important pest in Neotropical countries. The laboratory rearing of this species should reproduce conditions in nature; thus, special attention is required to the nutritional quality of diets for larval development. Protein components (wheat germ) are costly and account for most production costs in lab insect rearing. In this sense, this work aimed to identify ingredients to replace wheat germ, without compromising diet quality for the lab rearing of A. fraterculus. We tested diets composed of whole rice flour, corn flour, and a mixture of whole wheat flour + soybean flour as substitutes for wheat germ as well as a raw wheat germ diet, considered as the control. The protein sources used in the larval diet influenced the biological performance of both the larval and adult stages of A. fraterculus during six generations. The diet containing corn flour and wheat germ showed similar results in the different developmental parameters. The diet with rice flour also provided adequate biological development for A. fraterculus throughout its life cycle and was nutritionally similar to the control. As it is local product, rice flour can replace wheat germ (costly imported product) in artificial diets for A. fraterculus, reducing production costs by roughly 30% without compromising the biological and nutritional parameters of the insects. Our findings provide basis to improve mass rearing of A. fraterculus for the biological control as parasitoids and in the sterile insect technique, sustainable management strategies currently implemented in the management of A. fraterculus.
Rate of Torque Development of Trunk Muscles in Women With Different Training Backgrounds
Authors: Bertochi Mário Osvaldo , Carlos Lucas Caetano , Lima Leonardo Coelho Rabello , Barreto Renan Vieira , Gonçalves Mauro , Cardozo Adalgiso Coscrato
Published: March 2024

INTRODUCTION: Healthy individuals should exercise their trunk muscles at least twice a week to improve spinal stability and maintain mobility. Pilates and CrossFit are the recommended practices for this purpose. Traditional resistance training programs use strengthening exercises, including core muscles.
OBJECTIVES: To compare the DTR of the trunk extensors and flexors of healthy individuals who practice training modalities with different movement patterns during trunk exercises such as Pilates, CrossFit and traditional resistance training.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two volunteers aged 23.72 ± 3.4 years participated in the study and were allocated to one of four groups based on their training experience: Pilates, CrossFit. Participants included in the trained groups must have a history of practicing their respective modalities. Participants included in the CON group should not have exercised regularly in the last six months. Normality, homogeneity and sphericity tests were used. rate of torque development (RTD) and Isometric peak torque (IPT) values were compared between groups using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted.
RESULTS: No significant differences were found in age and body mass. Women with experience in CrossFit training have significantly greater IPT and RTD of trunk during isometric extension and flexion. Trunk flexion IPT was also significantly higher for participants who practiced CrossFit. RTD for trunk extension and flexion was not different between participants with experience in Pilates, traditional resistance training and those without experience with physical training. Furthermore, the CF group presented significantly higher RTD values in all time intervals analyzed.
CONCLUSION: The results obtained confirm that women who practice CrossFit training benefit from a greater capacity for rapid force production with the trunk flexors and extensors. Regular CrossFit practice results in superior RTD when compared to traditional resistance training, Pilates and a sedentary lifestyle in women. Maximum trunk strength is also greater for women who practice CrossFit.
Mechanistic Prediction and validation of Brevilin A Therapeutic Effects in Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Ruixue , Gao Cuiyun , Yu Meng , Song Jialing , Feng Zhenzhen , Wang Ruyu , Pan Huafeng , Liu Haimeng , Li Wei , Fan Xiangzhen
Published: March 2024

Background
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has found widespread application in neoplasm treatment, yielding promising therapeutic candidates. Previous studies have revealed the anti-cancer properties of Brevilin A, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone derived from Centipeda minima (L.) A.Br. (C. minima), a TCM herb, specifically against lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of its effects remain elusive. This study employs network pharmacology and experimental analyses to unravel the molecular mechanisms of Brevilin A in lung cancer.
Methods
The Batman-TCM, Swiss Target Prediction, Pharmmapper, SuperPred, and BindingDB databases were screened to identify Brevilin A targets. Lung cancer-related targets were sourced from GEO, Genecards, OMIM, TTD, and Drugbank databases. Utilizing Cytoscape software, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and gene-pathway correlation analysis were conducted using R software. To validate network pharmacology results, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and in vitro experiments were performed.
Results
We identified 599 Brevilin A-associated targets and 3864 lung cancer-related targets, with 155 overlapping genes considered as candidate targets for Brevilin A against lung cancer. The PPI network highlighted STAT3, TNF, HIF1A, PTEN, ESR1, and MTOR as potential therapeutic targets. GO and KEGG analyses revealed 2893 enriched GO terms and 157 enriched KEGG pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. GSEA demonstrated a close association between hub genes and lung cancer. Gene-pathway correlation analysis indicated significant associations between hub genes and the cellular response to hypoxia pathway. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations confirmed Brevilin A's interaction with PTEN and HIF1A, respectively. In vitro experiments demonstrated Brevilin A-induced dose- and time-dependent cell death in A549 cells. Notably, Brevilin A treatment significantly reduced HIF-1α mRNA expression while increasing PTEN mRNA levels.
Conclusions
This study elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of Brevilin A on lung cancer, providing a molecular foundation for future exploration of Brevilin A's therapeutic potential.
Pediatric anti-CaVα2δ Autoimmune Encephalitis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhu Xiaomei , Yu Lifei , Fang Zhixu , Wang Yi , Zhang Linmei
Published: March 2024

Background：Anti voltage-gated calcium channel alpha-2/delta subunit (anti-CaVα2δ) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune encephalitis which was first reported in 2021. Up to now, only 2 cases of anti-CaVα2δ AE have been reported in the previous literature. The clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of this rare AE need broadened.
Case presentation: This is a detailed report of a 9-year-old female, who initially presented with fever and lymphadenitis, which progressed to headaches, drowsiness, frequent seizures, cognitive impairment, memory loss, psychosis, and involuntary movements. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed lesions in the bilateral external capsule. Positive anti-CaVα2δ antibodies (1:30) using transfected cell-based assays were also revealed 3 weeks and 5 weeks after symptom onset. Video electroencephalography further showed severely diffused, slow background activity with multifocal epileptiform discharges. Although the patient was started on combined immunotherapy consisting intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous methylprednisolone, and rituximab, neurological sequelae, including seizures, cognitive dysfunction, and dyskinesia, were recorded on her latest follow-up (Modified Rankin Scale score of 4). For further discussion of this condition, summaries of two other anti-CaVα2δ AE cases were also provided.
Conclusions：Herein, we reported a paediatric case of anti-CaVα2δ AE, with comparisons to two previously reported cases. These reports broaden the clinical phenotype and prognosis of this rare condition, providing further information and clinical experience for the management of future cases.
Determinants and Patterns of Contraceptive Use among Sexually Active Women Living with HIV in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Akinsolu Folahanmi Tomiwa. , Adegbite Zainab Oyindamola , Bankole Samuel A. , Lawale Abisola , Adewole Ifeoluwa Eunice , Abodunrin Olunike Rebecca , Olagunju Mobolaji Timothy , Ola Oluwabukola Mary , Chukwuemeka Abel Nnamdi , Gambari Aisha Oluwaseun , Nwogu-Attah Jacinta N. , Okunbor Hiliary Nosa , Lukwa Akim Tafadzwa , Herbertson Ebiere , Eleje George Uchenna , Akanni Olatunji , Ezechi Oliver Chukwujekwu
Published: March 2024

Background: Contraception is a strategy to meet the family planning goals of women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV) as well as to reduce the transmission of HIV. There is limited data from Nigeria, where HIV prevalent is the second-largest in the world. This study aimed to examine contraceptive use and identify factors influencing its use among sexually active WLHIV in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 443 sexually active WLHIV across three HIV treatment centers in Ibadan, Oyo State. The inclusion criteria were WLHIV, aged 18–49 years, who asserted being fecund and sexually active. An adopted questionnaire was used to collect data, and the data was analyzedusing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Windows version 25. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Among sexually active WLHIV (n = 443), 73.1% used contraceptives, with 26.9% having unmet needs. The results revealed a significant association between employment status and the use of contraceptives (AOR = 2.150; 95% CI 1.279–3.612 p=0.004); accessibility to contraceptive methods and the use of contraceptives (AOR = 21.483; 95% CI 7.279–63.402 p=0.00). Also, a significant association was found between payment for service and contraceptive use (AOR = 14.343; 95% CI 2.705-76.051; p = 0.003). Previous reactions towards contraceptive use were also significantly associated with contraceptive use (AOR = 14.343; 95% CI 2.705-76.051 p = 0.003). The dual contraceptives usage rate was 30.7%.
Conclusions: Although contraceptive use among sexually active WLHIV was high, the study highlighted the need for increased adoption of dual contraceptive methods to mitigate the risk of unintended pregnancy and HIV re-infection among this population. It emphasized the importance of continuous sensitization and counseling services healthcare providers provide to promote contraceptive use among WLHIV.