bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Practices on Provision of Preschool Oral Health Care among Preschool teachers in the selected Boarding Schools: Analytical cross section studydesign
Authors: Mfiwa Oliver D , Millanzi Walter C. , Herman Patricia Z.
Published: September 2024

Background: oral health has become a topic of global importance especially in children as majority of the care givers do not use good practices in proving oral care, Tanzania government play a great role in integrating oral health services in the community through different health care facilities. The health benefits of oral care in children have been well documented for several decades as its essential contribution to social and physical development, so this study proposes to examine the knowledge, attitude, and perceived practices of preschool teachers in the field of early childhood health.
Methods: School based analytical cross section study which will utilize a survey questionnaires to gather data from a sample of 110 preschool teachers in the Dodoma region, the data will be collected through self-administered questionnaires prepared in English and translated to Swahili and the collected information will be analyzed using Statistical package for social science (SPSS) with the strength of 95% confidence interval and 5% significance level and presented in form of tables, bar chart, histogram and pie chart
Discussion: Oral health among the children has been a key challenges in Tanzania, it does not only cause the dental problems but also it affect the development of child, so the finding of this study will provide insight into the current level of understanding and implementation of best practices among preschool teachers and inform the development of targeted professional development programs and will make a contribution to the existing literature on early childhood education and support efforts to improve the quality of health for young children
Trial registration: none
The Impact of Reduced Salivary Flow Rate and Aging on Oral Candidiasis in Patients with Stomatitis
Authors: Lee Yeon-Hee , Seo Solsol , Kim Tae-Seok , Lee Sang-Woo
Published: September 2024

Aim: We elucidated the relationship between the comorbidity of oral candidiasis and stomatitis and a reduced salivary flow rate, and identify predictors for oral candidiasis.
Methods: A total of 259 patients with stomatitis (mean age 59.77±15.93 years, range 10 –87 years, 201 females) were diagnosed with oral candidiasis through Candida albicansculture test. Clinical characteristics of the Candida–positive and Candida–negative groups were statistically analyzed.
Results: Out of the total 259 stomatitis patients, 81 (31.27%) had oral candidiasis based on Candida albicans culture. Regarding age, the stomatitis with oral candidiasis group (64.25 ± 14.66 years) was significantly older than the stomatitis without oral candidiasis group (57.73 ± 16.10 years) (p=0.002). Regarding salivary flow rates, both unstimulated salivary flow rate (UFR) (0.36 ± 0.32 mL/min vs. 0.47 ± 0.28 mL/min, p=0.006) and stimulated salivary flow rate (SFR) (1.21 ± 0.68 mL/min vs. 1.41 ± 0.69 mL/min, p=0.032) were significantly lower in patients with oral candidiasis compared to those without. The proportion of xerostomia based on UFR 0.2mL/min (xerostomia_UFR) was significantly higher in the stomatitis with oral candidiasis group (49.4%) compared to the stomatitis without oral candidiasis group (18.5%) (p<0.001). Similarly, the proportion of xerostomia based on SFR of 0.7mL/min was significantly higher in the stomatitis with oral candidiasis group (27.2%) compared to the stomatitis without oral candidiasis group (10.7%) (p<0.001). The prediction accuracy of oral candidiasis based on age was 62.2% (AUC=0.622, 95% CI: 0.547-0.696, p=0.002), with a cutoff value of 64.50 years for age. The prediction accuracy based on UFR was 65.8% (AUC=0.658, 95% CI: 0.582-0.734, p<0.001), with a cutoff value of 0.3350 mL/min for UFR. The prediction accuracy based on SFR was 58.7% (AUC=0.587, 95% CI: 0.510-0.663, p=0.025), with a cutoff value of 1.150 mL/min for SFR. From the generalized linear model for oral candidiasis, xerostomia_UFR was significant predictor (B=0.328, 95% CI: 0.177 - 0.480, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Although a decrease in salivary flow rate and aging were associated with the occurrence of oral candidiasis in patients with stomatitis, these factors alone did not result in high predictive accuracy.
A case of corneal infection with Clonostachys rosea
Authors: Liu Xiaona , Zheng Juanjuan , Huo Zihan , Wu Feng
Published: September 2024

Background: There have been no reported cases of infectious diseases associated with Clonostachys rosea.
Case presentation:The patient, 53 years old, was admitted with complaints of "foreign body sensation, tearing, and pain in the left eye for 2 weeks, aggravated for 7 days." And was admitted with a diagnosis of "fungal keratitis (left)." Fungal growth was confirmed through corneal scrape culture. Antifungal treatment included natamycin and fluconazole eye drops, along with oral terbinafine tablets. Levofloxacin eye drops were administered to prevent bacterial infection, and praprofen eye drops were prescribed to alleviate anterior chamber reaction. After 4 days of treatment, the patient reported reduced foreign body sensation, tearing, and pain in the left eye. Follow-up visits were scheduled at regular intervals, during which medication remained consistent and dosage gradually decreased with symptom improvement. After 35 days, ulcer lesions had formed scars, and confocal examination of the corneal focal area revealed normal epithelial cell growth with scar-like reflection below, without obvious mycelial hyperrefraction.
Conclusions: Herein, we describe a case of corneal infection attributed to Clonostachys rosea. We outline the development and treatment of this infection to enhance clinical comprehension and management of similar cases.
Silencing of RDR1 and RDR6 genes by a single RNAi enhances lettuce's capacity to express recombinant proteins in transient assays
Authors: Ramadan Abdelaziz , Oka Kaho , Miura Kenji
Published: September 2024

Improved yields of recombinant proteins (RP) are necessary for protein production efficiency and ease of purification. Achieving high yield in non-tobacco plants will enable diverse plants to be used as hosts in transient protein expression systems. With improved protein yield, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) could take the lead as a plant host for RP production. Therefore, this study aimed to improve RP production in lettuce var. Salinas by designing a single RNA interference (RNAi) construct targeting LsRDR1and LsRDR6 using the Tsukuba system vector. Two RNAi constructs, RNAi-1 and RNAi-2, targeting common regions of LsRDR1 and LsRDR6 with 75% and 76% similarity, respectively, were employed to evaluate simultaneous gene silencing. Quantitative transcription analysis demonstrated that both RNAi constructs effectively knocked down LsRDR6 and LsRDR1, but not LsRDR2, at both 3 and 5 days post-infiltration (dpi), with RNAi-1 exhibited slightly higher efficiency. Based on the protein yield, co-expression of RNAi-1 with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) increased EGFP expression by approximately 4.9-fold and 3.7-fold at 3 dpi and 5 dpi, respectively, compared to control. A similar but slightly lower increase (2.4-fold and 2.33-fold) was observed in commercial lettuce at 3 dpi and 5 dpi, respectively. To confirm these results, co-infiltration with Bet V 1, a major allergen from birch pollen, resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in expression in Salinas lettuce at 5 dpi. This study marks a significant advancement in enhancing transient protein production in lettuce, elevating its potential as a host for recombinant protein production.
Exploring the causal relationship between autoimmune diseases and gastrointestinal tumors: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Xinhui , Wu Jiayang , Xu Xi , Zhang Dong , Dong Qiu , Lai Wenqi , Shi Changzheng , Luo Liangping
Published: September 2024

Purpose: Autoimmune diseases (AID) may be associated with gastrointestinal cancer. This study used a two-sample Mendelian randomization method to examine the potential correlation between AID and gastrointestinal cancer. AD, such as sarcoidosis, Graves’ disease (GD), multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), type 1 diabetes (T1D), and celiac disease (CD), were selected. Gastrointestinal tumors include colorectal cancer (CRC), colonic pseudopolyposis, colorectal neuroendocrine tumors and carcinomas, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors and sarcomas.
Methods: We used genome-wide association study data from the Finngen R10 database and the IEU study data. We employed the inverse variance-weighted method to explore the causal relationship between the exposure and outcomes.
Results: Sarcoidosis and psoriasis were associated with a reduced risk of CRC, whereas GD was linked to an increased risk. SLE, RA, T1D, and GD are associated with a decreased risk of colonic pseudopolyps, whereas CD, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, and MS are associated with an increased risk.Sarcoidosis, SS, and T1D were associated with a reduced risk of colorectal neuroendocrine tumors and carcinomas, whereas CD and MS were associated with an increased risk. Sarcoidosis, SS, and MS are linked to a reduced risk of developing gastrointestinal stromal tumors and sarcomas, while RA is associated with an increased risk. Additionally, CRC is associated with an increased risk of sarcoidosis.
Conclusion: Autoimmune diseases may be associated with the incidence and development of gastrointestinal tumors, whereas cancer may promote sarcoidosis.
Mapping broad-spectrum virus resistance in Brassica rapa using an advantageous tandem genotyping by sequencing approach
Authors: Bramham Lawrence , Barker Guy , Walsh John
Published: September 2024

Background
Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is an aphid-vectored plant pathogen impacting the cultivation of important crop species. Few robust and even fewer broad-spectrum sources of genetic resistance against TuMV have been identified, reliably mapped then deployed effectively. The chief purpose of work outlined here was to map one such unexploited broad-spectrum resistance identified in Brassica rapa, line BR05058. Due to limited genotypic information existing for this material and high intraspecific variation known to exist across B. rapa, a secondary objective was to explore the use of complementary genotyping strategies for biparental population mapping in a germplasm-specific whilst cost-effective manner.
Results
Valuable TuMV resistance was mapped to an interval of 1.22 or 3.42 Mbp, depending on choice of reference assembly alignment, on B. rapa chromosome A06. This was achieved by first employing reduced-representation genotyping by sequencing (GBS) of purely the parental plants of a first backcross (BC1) mapping population which segregated for resistance to an informative isolate of TuMV (GBR 6). In tandem, cost-effective targeted GBS of 500 loci of interest identified from parental GBS applied to 190 BC1 samples allowed construction of a robust linkage map and subsequent trait mapping. Exploration of the mapped region of interest in silico suggested three notable B. rapa candidate genes; these exhibited characteristic resistance gene-associated motifs, were in proximity and considered likely paralogues.
Conclusions
Due to the selective generation of GBS data from purely BC1 parental samples followed by targeted genotyping of the wider population, the approach employed here is considered to have retained the wider benefits associated with prospective GBS of all 190 BC1 samples, however in a notably more cost-effective strategy. A key benefit is that candidate TuMV resistance-associated genes of interest can be investigated further by using the extant GBS data from parental samples. The lack of a strict need for prior genotypic information of material under investigation may render the approach developed here attractive for similar trait mapping efforts, for example where material under investigation is either uncharacterised or genetically distinct from available genomic resources.
Effects of material properties and dimensions on buckling behavior of thin-walled cylindrical shell under hydrostatic pressure and axial force using an Abaqus developed plugin
Authors: Saedpanah Vahid , Mostafaei Mohammad Ali , Dibajian Seyed Houssain
Published: September 2024

Underwater thin-walled shells are widely used for underwater robots and are prone to buckling due to external hydrostatic pressure. These shells are produced by welding two circular plates to a cylinder. Various materials can be selected for shell fabrication in various sizes. The current study aims to study the effect of material properties and design parameters on the buckling behavior of cylindrical thin-walled shells. To this end, a plugin was developed in Abaqus to simulate a cylindrical shell according to defined properties and geometries. In this step, cylindrical shells with various material properties and various cylinder geometries were modeled, and the pressurizing process was simulated using the Riks method. Results showed that the buckling resistance directly increases by yield stress increase, and ultimate stress, yield strain, and plastic strain do not affect the buckling behavior. The study on geometrical parameters showed that the shell length in this case study does not change significantly the critical pressure. However, by adding the shell diameter, the buckling resistance decreases. On the contrary, the higher thickness led to higher resistance. Finally, modeling reliability is validated by an experimental approach. Here, a few cylindrical shells were manufactured and tested. Differences between results were around 5 percent, meaning the model is acceptable and reliable for future design by adding a safety factor.
Overlooked role of heterotrophic prokaryotes in sulfur oxidation makes the sediment of the Bohai Sea as a sufficient sink of H2S
Authors: Chen Zhiyi , Xun Luying , Xia Yongzhen , Gong Xianzhe
Published: September 2024

Background:
Marine sediments are the active sites for the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur. Sulfate is used as a major terminal electron acceptor for anaerobic oxidation of organic compounds in marine sediments, and the produced sulfide is normally oxidized back to sulfate in upper sediments, mainly considered as a biological process. The low abundance or even absence of autotrophic sulfur oxidizing bacteria in marine sediments challenges this point.
Results:
Here, we used metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and the testing of sulfide, thiosulfate, and sulfite oxidation in sediment samples to figure out how sulfide is oxidized in the Bohai Sea sediments. Surprisingly, sulfur oxidation is wide-spread in the microbial community (> 85.8%) of mostly heterotrophic prokaryotes across 67 phyla, dominated by Proteobacteria. Known chemolithotrophic sulfur oxidizers were absent. The prevalent sulfur oxidizing pathway was sulfide to zerovalent sulfur, sulfite, and then sulfate. Thiosulfate, which was only slowly oxidized, is not a major metabolic intermediate, contradicting with the dominant thiosulfate shunt in sulfur cycling. Genes encoding sulfide oxidation (sqr and fccAB), zerovalent sulfur oxidation (pdo, rdsrAB, and hdrABC), and sulfite oxidation (aprAB/sat) were abundant and upregulated after adding NaHS.
Conclusions:
The findings reveal how sulfur is oxidized, and the common participation in sulfur oxidation by most heterotrophic prokaryotes ensures that sulfide is effectively oxidized in the surface sediment.
Impact of Fat Mass and Fat-Free Mass on Locomotive Syndrome and Frailty in an Elderly Japanese Population: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Nakashima Hiroaki , Ito Sadayuki , Segi Naoki , Ouchida Jun , Yamauchi Ippei , Tanaka Satoshi , Takegami Yasuhiko , Ishizuk Shinya , Hasegawa Yukiharu , Imagama Shiro
Published: September 2024

Background: The roles of fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) in locomotive syndrome (LS) and frailty are not well understood. The current study explored the associations between FMI and FFMI and the prevalence of LS and frailty in an elderly Japanese population.
Methods: This study examined 814 participants who underwent health checkups. Body composition including FMI, FFMI, and bone mineral content was measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis. LS was assessed using the Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale, and frailty was evaluated using the Japanese Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex was also performed.
Results: A high FMI was significantly associated with LS, and a low FFMI was significantly associated with frailty. A U-shaped association was observed between FMI and frailty. Hence, both low and high FMI were associated with increased frailty risk. Participants diagnosed with both LS and frailty had a higher FMI and lower FFMI than those diagnosed with only one of the two conditions.
Conclusions: FMI and FFMI have distinct roles in LS and frailty among elderly individuals. Monitoring and managing body composition via targeted interventions can improve musculoskeletal health and quality-of-life in aging populations.
Assessing Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy For Breast Cancer In Karachi, Pakistan: A Multi-center Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Allana Asad , Inayat Alijaan , Khowaja Mohiba Ali , Shamsi Uzma , Rashid Yasmin , Khan Farhan Raza , Rozi Shafquat
Published: September 2024

Introduction
In Pakistan, women undergoing chemotherapy are usually unaware of the potential impact of the treatment on their oral health quality of life. This study aims to assess the impact of chemotherapy on oral health quality of life.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 breast cancer (BC) patients on chemotherapy coming to Aga Khan Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate medical center. Data collection was performed using a validated questionnaire for sociodemographic variables, types and frequency of oral hygiene measures, oral mucositis (OM) and oral health quality of life (OHRQoL) and oral examination was performed. Data was analyzed using simple linear regression method.
Results
Among these females, 119 were married, with a mean age of 47.64 ± 10.89 years. OM was present in 88, 25 used miswak/dentonic, 33 did not receive care by dentists/nurses, 15 reported moderate to severe gingival inflammation, and 85 were at stage 3 BC. OHRQoL was significantly associated with OM, women’s age, marital status, gingival status, and platelet count.
Conclusion
This multi-center cross-sectional study highlights the significance of OHRQoL among BC patients undergoing chemotherapy. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive oral health care for these patients to improve their quality of life and treatment outcomes.
Assessment of childbirth-related PTSD: Psychometric properties of the Ukrainian version of City Birth Trauma Scale
Authors: Chrzan-Dętkoś Magdalena , Murawska Natalia , Krupelnytska Liudmyla , Moreira Helena , Rodríguez-Muño Maria F. , Costa Raquel , Nakić Sandra , García-López Helena S. , Uka Ana , Vavilova Alona , Morozova-Larina Olha
Published: September 2024

Background
There is no validated Ukrainian instrument for assessing childbirth-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CB-PTSD) according to DSM-5 criteria.
Objectives
Evaluate the psychometric properties of the Ukrainian version of the City Birth Trauma Scale (City BiTS) and examine its factor structure.
Method
In a cross-sectional study, 320 women completed online questionnaires, including the City BiTS, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, and a sociodemographic questionnaire.
Results
The prevalence of CB-PTSD in Ukraine was 6.2%. Confirmatory analyses were conducted to assess the fit of two-factor and four-factor models, as well as a bifactor model. The bifactor model was found to be the best-fitting model. The examination of the bifactor indices supported the computation of a total PTSD score as well as the use of the General Symptoms subscale, which emerged as distinct and well-defined factors. Both subscales (Birth-Related Symptoms subscale and General Symptoms subscale) and the total scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .92). Convergent and divergent validity testing indicated robust validity, particularly for General symptoms score.
Conclusions
The City BiTS emerged as a reliable and valid measure, recommended for use among Ukrainian women in the postpartum period as a screening method.
Trial registration. Clinical trial registration was completed at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT05654987 (Date: December 16, 2022)..
Thermal degradation and decomposition of FR4 laminate PCB substrates joined by Friction Riveting
Authors: Rodrigues Camila. F. , Blaga Lucian , Klusemann Benjamin
Published: September 2024

Glass fiber-reinforced epoxy laminates (FR4), widely used in printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication, face challenges in joining processes due to their susceptibility to thermal degradation. Friction Riveting, a promising technique for joining FR4 substrates, offers advantages over traditional methods, but might induce thermal damage at elevated temperatures. This study investigates the thermal degradation mechanisms of FR4 laminates joined by Friction Riveting, focusing on the influence of process parameters and copper layer configuration. Microscopic cross-sectional analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were employed to assess thermal degradation under different joining conditions. The results revealed that higher process temperatures led to increased rivet deformation and charring of FR4, especially in laminates with double copper layers. The presence of copper layers influenced the decomposition behavior, exhibiting a complex interaction between enhanced thermal stability and accelerated degradation due to increased thermal conductivity and friction. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing process parameters to mitigate thermal damage and ensure the reliability of friction-riveted FR4 joints in PCB assemblies.
Artificial neural network (ANN) based prediction and modeling of Fe(II) adsorption from contaminated groundwater using Deccan Hemp stem-derived activated carbon
Authors: Wairokpam Reenarani , Ningthoujam Sudhakar , Kumar Potsangbam Albino
Published: September 2024

Iron is a vital element for humans to survive, yet consuming too much of it can be detrimental to one's health. Iron contamination in groundwater is mainly in the form of ferrous iron Fe(II). Adsorption is highly suggested as a commonly utilized, cost-effective, and convenient method for Fe(II) removal. This study uses activated carbon derived from the stem of deccan hemp (ACDH) as adsorbent for removing Fe(II) from the groundwater. Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis were used to characterize the adsorbent. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson and Temkin isotherm models were used to describe the adsorption process and are best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 10.989 mg/g Fe(II) at a 4.0 g/L ACDH dose. The adsorbent ACDH exhibits second- order adsorption kinetics for the adsorption of Fe(II). The thermodynamic study verified that the adsorption process is both endothermic and spontaneous, leading to an increasing degree of adsorption. The adsorption of Fe(II) was simulated using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique and accurately predicted the batch process through the use of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. The comparison between the experimental data and model outputs showed a strong correlation, indicating that the initial information was in close accord with the data predicted by ANN. The high Fe(II) adsorption capacity makes ACDH an efficient and economical adsorbent material for removing Fe(II) from groundwater.
Sustainable Steel Production: A Comprehensive LCA Approach for Reducing Environmental Costs and Impacts
Authors: Baghbadarani Aref Ahmadian , Ashrafi Khosro , Karbassi Abdolreza
Published: September 2024

The life cycle assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool for evaluating environmental impacts and costs. In this study, LCA was applied to steel production, specifically focusing on the electric arc furnace (EAF) and the Midrex direct reduction of iron ore. The functional unit considered is one tonne of molten steel extracted from the EAF. EAF inputs mainly consist of sponge iron with a 90:10 proportion of sponge iron to scrap. The study employs the ReCiPe (H) 2016 V1.1 method for LCA, and environmental cost calculations utilize the Environmental Prices method. The total environmental costs, normalized midpoint impacts, and normalized endpoint impacts amount to 462.72 euros, 8.11 pt and, 0.13 pt, respectively. The analysis of steel production identifies three principal stages: Sponge Iron Consumption, Electricity Consumption, Other Inputs and Outputs Associated with Steel Production. Notably, electricity consumption and sponge iron usage account for approximately 70% and 75% of the impacts on midpoints and endpoints, respectively, as well as 75% of the total environmental costs. Making specific choices—such as using solar power instead of traditional gas-based electricity and scrap instead of sponge iron—can effectively enhance the sustainability of the steel-making process. The scenario VI, when compared to other scenarios, results in the following reductions: Midpoint Impacts: 5.03 pt, Endpoint Impacts: 0.04 pt, Environmental Costs: 167.69 euros. Regarding the ReCiPe method, it was assessed from various perspectives. The egalitarian perspective consistently demonstrated the highest value at the endpoint level, followed by the hierarchist and individualist viewpoints.
DRR-YOLO: A Multiscale Wood Surface Defect Detection Method Based on Improved YOLOv8
Authors: WANG Rijun , CHEN Yesheng , ZHANG Guanghao , LIANG Fulong , WANG Bo , MOU Xiangwei
Published: September 2024

Wood surface defect detection technology offers the advantages of being non-destructive, rapid, accurate, and economical. It plays a crucial role in wood grade sorting, defect detection, improving the quality of sawn timber, and accelerating the automation of wood processing. Currently, there are challenges in accurately identifying multi-scale wood defects and insufficient overall detection accuracy in the field of wood defect detection. To address these issues, a new wood defect detection model named DRR-YOLO is proposed in this study. This proposed model combines the DWR module and the DRB module to innovatively form the DRRB module, replacing the bottleneck part of the C2f module in the YOLOv8 backbone, thereby constructing the C2f-DRRB module. This module effectively extracts multi-scale feature information. Additionally, by introducing the LSKA attention mechanism, the DRR-YOLO captures a wider range of global information. The neck structure of the DRR-YOLO is reconstructed using BiFPN, further enhancing the integration of feature information. In a series of ablation and comparative experiments, the DRR-YOLO model demonstrates superior performance, with its mean average precision (mAP) improved by 5.2% compared to the original algorithm. This effectively meets the wood industry's demand for accurate detection of wood defects.
Optimizing beam performance: ANSYS simulation and ANN-based analysis of CFRP strengthening with various opening shapes
Authors: - Tahera , Patil Kshitij S , Urs Neethu
Published: September 2024

In modern construction, pipes and ducts are necessary for computer networking, electrical systems, air conditioning, water distribution, sewage management, and critical services. These conduits, which typically have diameters between a few millimeters and half a meter, can weaken beam strength, increase deflection, encourage cracking, and lessen stiffness, all of which can compromise the structural integrity of buildings. One creative and affordable way to overcome these obstacles is to retrofit concrete structures with CFRP sheets. Many advantages come with this technology, including a favourable strength-to-weight ratio, resistance to corrosion, remarkable fatigue durability, simplicity of installation, and minimum impact on existing structural parts. The current research examines the performance of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) beams featuring various openings—rectangular, rounded rectangular, elliptical, and circular—in the shear zone. The study assesses the performance of three different CFRP reinforcement procedures using ANSYS software. It considers three different wrapping methods in comparison to a control beam and an opening without wrapping. The focus of the analysis is on Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to observe stress variations under applied loads, enabling comparisons of different beam deflections. According to analytical data, the use of CFRP reinforcement around the apertures—both internally and externally—significantly increases load-carrying capacity, which is nearly identical to the control beam's—especially for circular holes where there is a more equal distribution of stress. Additionally, the study explores the generation of beam deflection data through ANSYS FEA simulations, which is followed by training an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model in MATLAB and Python. The resulting ANN model serves as a rapid and accurate alternative to traditional FEA in structural analysis by effectively predicting beam deflections across various scenarios. This research contributes valuable insights towards improving structural resilience in contemporary construction practices, particularly regarding the integration of essential services.
Reconstructive versus palliative management of ureteral stenosis after kidney transplant: an EAU‑YAU kidney transplantation working group collaboration
Authors: Lucignani Gianpaolo , Anna Rivetti , Prudhomme Thomas , Pecoraro Alessio , Marco Beatriz Bañuelos , Piana Alberto , López-Abad Alicia , Dönmez Muhammet Irfan , Haberal Hakan Bahadır , Territo Angelo , Boisseir Romain
Published: September 2024

Introduction The gold standard for treatment of ureteral stenosis after kidney transplantation is surgical redo of the anastomosis, although some patients may only be candidates for palliative treatment by permanent urinary catheterization. We aimed to compare the functional results of these two approaches. Methods A retrospective comparative analysis was carried out to compare the groups. The outcomes of each procedure and factors associated with success of reconstruction, graft failure and GFR variation were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. Results 30 (54.5%) and 24 (44.5%) patients underwent surgical and palliative treatment, respectively. Distal/ureterovesical location was most frequently observed (81.1%, p < 0.0001). Reconstruction consisted of ureterovesical reimplantation, pyeloureterostomy and ureteroureterostomy in 11 (36.6%), 13 (43.3%) and 3 (10.0%) cases, respectively. Intestinal segment interposition was employed in 2 (6.7%) cases. We observed 4 (13.3%) cases of failure after surgery and ureterovesical reimplantation was significantly associated with stricture recurrence (p = 0.018). A significant variation of GFR from post treatment baseline to last follow-up was observed in the palliative group (43.5 to 32.0, p < 0.001), although graft survival was similar (9.1% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.65). Conclusion Surgical reconstruction can attain definitive treatment of post KT US in almost nine out of ten patients with a satisfactory safety profile. On the other hand, palliative treatment seems to be associated with GFR degradation.
The effect of silver nanoparticles on bond strength of calcium silicate-based sealer: An In vitro study
Authors: Bukhary Sundus , Alkahtany Sarah , Aldabeeb Dalal
Published: September 2024

Background
The aim of the study was to evaluate the bond strength of the calcium silicate-based sealer (CSS) (TotalFill® BC Sealer, FKG, Switzerland) modified with the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the single-cone technique and the warm obturation technique, measured by a universal testing machine.
Methods
The root canals of single-rooted human teeth were prepared up to 35.04. specimens were randomly divided into four groups (25/group) as follows: In Group 1, canals were obturated using the single-cone technique (SC). Group 2, canals were obturated in SC technique and the CSS sealer mixed with AgNPs. Group 3, canals were obturated with continuous wave condensation (CWC). Group 4, canals were obturated with CWC, and CSS Sealer was mixed with AgNPs. After two weeks, 1 mm-thick dentin slices were cut and exposed to push-out bond strength test using a universal testing machine. Specimens were examined under a digital microscope to determine the mode of failure. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison tests (P < 0.05).
Results
Group 4 showed the highest dislodgement resistance compared to all groups (P < 0.05). Group 4 was significantly higher in push-out bond strength value than group 1 (P < .001) and group 3 (P < .003), but not significantly higher than group 2. Cohesive failure was the most prevalent failure mode among all groups.
Conclusions
Incorporation of silver nanoparticles into the calcium silicate-based sealer significantly increased the bond strength. The warm obturation approach demonstrated significantly higher resistance to dislodgment as compared to the single-cone technique.
Solvent and additive-controlled supramolecular isomerism in zinc coordination polymers
Authors: Khorshidi Ghazale , Notash Behrouz
Published: September 2024

A new series of Zn(II) supramolecular isomers containing ditopic 1,3-di(pyridin-4-yl)urea (4bpu) ligand were synthesized and characterized by infrared analysis, elemental analysis and TGA as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Four solvent-induced pseudopolymorphic zinc (II) coordination polymers (CPs), namely, {[Zn(4bpu)(OAc)2](CH3OH){n (1), }[Zn(4bpu)(OAc)2](C2H5OH){n (2), }[Zn(4bpu)(OAc)2](HOCH2CH2OH){n (3), and }[Zn(4bpu)(OAc)2](0.5H2O){n (4), were prepared by the reaction of Zn(OAc)2.2H2O and 4bpu via self-assembly under varying solvent systems. Also, a pair of polymorphic coordination polymers namely, {[Zn(4bpu)(OAc)2](CH3OH){n (1α) and {[Zn3(4bpu)3(OAc)6](CH3OH)2{n (1β), was prepared in the presence of different organic additives. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed that 1 − 4 and 1α display 1D polymeric zigzag chains and 1β exhibit 1D triple-stranded ladders that were self-assembled through various supramolecular interactions. In addition, a series of dissolution-recrystallization structural transformations (DRST) were performed on these supramolecular isomers.
Optimization of the CuBr+Ne+HBr laser excitation source
Authors: Trigub Maxim , Gembukh Pavel , Kulagin Anton
Published: September 2024

In this work, an experimental and model analysis of the copper bromide vapor active media excitation efficiency was carried out at a fixed energy input and pump power. The experimental results showed that for typical pumping parameters of CuBr+Ne+HBr active elements, the requirements for the excitation source in terms of the voltage amplitude on the storage capacitor can be reduced. It was shown that the reduce of voltage amplitude from 11.3 to 6.6 kV while maintaining the energy input at the level of 1 mJ/cm3, leaded to the generation power decreased by 15%, and the single-pass amplification coefficient remained virtually unchanged. Simulations have shown that at lower capacitance values, the lower operating level of the laser is populated a little more strongly, but pumping of the upper operating level during the existence of population inversion also proceeds somewhat faster, which ultimately gives approximately the same efficiency of pumping.
Phosphorus limitation shapes metabolic strategy of fungal-bacterial partnerships in montane meadow soil
Authors: Shulman Hannah , Pyle Jessica , Classen Aimee , Inouye David , Simberloff Ruth , Sorensen Patrick , IV William Thomas , Rudgers Jennifer , Kivlin Stephanie
Published: September 2024

In nutrient-limited high-elevation ecosystems, plants rely on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to provide mineral phosphorus (P) in the form of phosphate (PO43-). AM fungi gather these nutrients through associations with phosphorus cycling bacteria (PCBs) that can mineralize PO43- from organic matter or solubilize mineral-bound P. The influence of climate and other soil factors on AM fungi and PCB interactions and how these communities affect AM fungal growth and P levels remains unclear. We collected soil from montane meadows over a 1000 meter elevation gradient on three mountains and created a dataset of shotgun metagenomes, AM fungal marker genes, and edaphic measurements. Soils at the highest elevations had almost 50-fold lower soil PO43- and 60% more AM fungal hyphae than low-elevation soils. PO43- concentration and pH influenced the abundances of taxonomically and functionally diverse P-cycling exoenzyme genes, including phosphatases, phospholipid turnover enzymes, and genes for solubilization of mineral-bound P. Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Proteobacteria were the dominant PCBs, each correlated with different AM functional guilds (rhizophilic, edaphophilic, ancestral). Our results argue for an elevation-based trade-off in microbial P-cycling strategies. In the P-richer soils of low elevations, the microbiome is dominated by rhizophilic AM fungi, actinobacteria mineralizing P from phospholipids, and less complex and diverse interactions between PCBs and AM fungi. The P-scarser, less weathered mountaintop soils favored ancestral AM fungi, mineral-associated P solubilization by Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria, and a more diverse and complex AM fungal-PCB network. With continued climate warming, the structure and function of mountaintop ecosystems might shift to resemble those of lower elevations. This shift could disrupt long-established interactions, reducing the prevalence of AM fungi and PCB groups, with consequences for both the metabolic pathways that produce P and total P available to plant communities.
Slight thermal stress exerts genetic diversity selection at coral (Acropora digitifera) larval stages
Authors: Manullang Cristiana , Hanahara Nozimi , Tarigan Ariyo Imanuel , Abe Yuko , Furukawa Mao , Morita Masaya
Published: September 2024

Background Rising seawater temperatures increasingly threaten coral reefs. The ability of coral larvae to withstand heat is crucial for maintaining reefs. While the reproductive process from spawning to larval dispersal is extensively studied, the influence of heat stress on genetic diversity at the individual larval level still needs to be clarified.Results This study investigates the larval response to heat stress before acquiring symbiotic algae, aiming to elucidate the relationship between coral genetic diversity and heat stress. Larvae sourced from eight Acropora digitifera colonies were subjected to ambient temperature (28°C) and heat conditions (31°C). The impact of heat stress on larval genetic diversity was assessed through sequencing. While overall genetic diversity, represented by π, did not significantly differ between the control and heat-exposed groups, Tajima’s D differed, indicating different selective pressures in each group. Twelve larval protein-coding sequences were identified on these loci, and the codon evolution of most of these genes showed signs of adaptive evolution. These results demonstrate the complex nature of the selective pressures operating in coral larvae under different temperatures, suggesting that corals might have experienced similar selection pressures during speciation.Conclusion These findings underscore the significance of genetic diversity in coral reproduction for maintaining reef ecosystems. They also indicate that even minor heat stress can exert significant selective pressure, potentially leading to profound implications for coral reef ecosystems. This research is crucial for understanding and mitigating the impact of rising seawater temperatures on coral reefs.
Paraventricular hypothalamic input to anterior cingulate cortex controls food preferences in chronic visceral pain
Authors: Ji Fuhai , xu qiya , Kong Ying , Meng Xiaowen , Peng Ke , Yu Yang , Song Shaoyong , Yang Yufan , Liu Huayue , Xu Guang-Yin
Published: September 2024

Chronic visceral pain is commonly accompanied by changes in food preference; however, the underlying neural circuitry mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic visceral pain on food preference and neural circuitry. Chronic visceral hyperalgesia in mice was induced by neonatal colonic inflammation (NCI). We identified a neural circuit involving cholecystokinin neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVHCCK) projecting to glutamatergic neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACCGlu). Chemogenetic inhibition of the PVHCCK to ACCGlu circuit reduced visceral pain and food preference switched from sugar to fat, which reversed by agonist of cholecystokinin receptors (CCKBRs) in the ACC. Chemogenetic activation of PVHCCK to ACCGlu circuit increased visceral pain and food preference switched from fat to sugar, which reversed by antagonist of CCKBRs in the ACC. Therefore, the PVHCCK to ACCGlu circuit encodes changes in food preference of mice during chronic visceral pain. Interventions targeting this neural circuitry maybe a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic visceral pain.
Exploring the Relative Influence of Atomic Parameters on Solid Solution Strengthening
Authors: Oliveira Pedro , Martins Caio , Stumpf Guilherme , Spadotto Julio , Pickering Ed , Botta Walter , Bolfarini Claudemiro , Coury Francisco
Published: September 2024

This study designed and produced FCC solid solution alloys with significant differences in atomic volume or electronegativity among the constituent elements, and subjected them to mechanical testing. The results demonstrate that atomic volume differences have a greater influence on solid solution strengthening (SSS) than electronegativity differences. Each solid solution system exhibits unique behavior, making a general model for predicting SSS challenging. Additionally, for a given solid solution system, there is a considerable difference in the critical grain size below which grain boundary strengthening dominates yield strength and hardness. Furthermore, both predicted lattice distortion values and the measured SSS components were greater for binary alloys, indicating that the presence of more elements in a solid solution does not always cause greater distortions in the crystal lattice. Finally, the study successfully engineered the novel Ni50Pd50 alloy, which has not been previously studied and exhibits mechanical properties remarkably insensitive to variations in grain size, warranting further in-depth investigations.
Enhancing Search-Based Testing with LLMs for Finding Bugs in System Simulators
Authors: Dakhama Aidan , Even-Mendoza Karine , Langdon W.B , Menéndez Héctor D. , Petke Justyna
Published: September 2024

Despite wide availability of automated testing techniques such as fuzzing, little attention has been devoted to testing computer architecture simulators. We propose a fully automated approach for this task. Our approach uses large languagemodels to create input programs, including information about their parametersand their types, as test cases for the simulators. The LLM’s output becomesthe initial seed for an existing fuzzer, AFL, which has been enhanced with threemutation operators, targeting both the input binary program and its parame-ters. We implement our approach in a tool called SearchSYS. We use it to testthe gem5 system simulator. SearchSYS discovered 21 new bugs in gem5, 14 where gem5’s software prediction differs from the real behaviour on actual hardware and 7 where it crashed. New defects were uncovered with each of the 6 LLMs used.
Estimating the impact of sarcoptic mange epidemic on the population size of wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from wildlife rescue data
Authors: Matsuyama Ryota , Kido Nobuhide , Omori Ryosuke
Published: September 2024

Background: The impact of infectious diseases on host populations is often not quantified because it is difficult to observe the host population and infectious disease dynamics. To address this problem, we developed a state-space model to simultaneously estimate host population and disease dynamics using wildlife rescue data. Using this model, we aimed to quantify the impact of sarcoptic mange on a Japanese racoon dog population by estimating the change in their relative population size.
Methods: We classified the status of rescued raccoon dogs into four categories: i) rescued due to infection with mange, ii) rescued due to traffic accidents without mange, iii) rescued due to traffic accidents with mange, and iv) rescued due to causes other than traffic accidents or mange. We modelled the observation process for each categoryand fitted the model to the reported number of raccoon dogs rescued between 1990 and 2010 at three wildlife rescue facilities in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Results: The mortality rate induced by mange was estimated to be 1.09 (95% credible interval (CI): 0.47–1.72) per year. The estimated prevalence of sarcoptic mange ranged between 4–80% in the study period. When a substantial prevalence of mange was observed (1995 to 2002), the host population size decreased by 91.2% (95% credible intervals: 86.3–94.7).
Conclusion: We show that the impact of infectious disease outbreak on the wildlife population can be estimated from the time-series data of wildlife rescue events due to multiple causes. Our estimates suggest that sarcoptic mange triggered a substantial decrease in the Japanese wild raccoon dog populations.