bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induced pluripotent stem cells in companion animals: how can we move the field forward?
Authors: Barrachina Laura , Arshaghi Tarlan Eslami , O'Brien Aisling , Ivanovska Ana , Barry Frank
Published: April 2023

Following a one medicine approach, the development of regenerative therapies for human patients leads to innovative treatments for animals, while pre-clinical studies on animals provide knowledge to advance human medicine. Among many different biological products under investigation, stem cells are among the most prominent. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are extensively investigated, but they present challenges such as senescence and limited differentiation ability. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent cells with a virtually unlimited capacity for self-renewal and differentiation, but the use of embryos carries ethical concerns. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can overcome all of these limitations, as they closely resemble ESCs but are derived from adult cells by reprogramming in the laboratory using pluripotency-associated transcription factors. iPSCs hold great potential for applications in therapy, disease modeling, drug screening, and even species preservation strategies. However, iPSC technology is less developed in veterinary species compared to human. This review attempts to address the specific challenges associated with generating and applying iPSCs from companion animals. Firstly, we discuss strategies for the preparation of iPSCs in veterinary species and secondly, we address the potential for different applications of iPSCs in companion animals. Our aim is to provide an overview on the state of the art of iPSCs in companion animals, focusing on equine, canine, and feline species, as well as to identify which aspects need further optimization and, where possible, to provide guidance on future advancements. Following a “step-by-step” approach, we cover the generation of iPSCs in companion animals from the selection of somatic cells and the reprogramming strategies, to the expansion and characterization of iPSCs. Subsequently, we revise the current applications of iPSCs in companion animals, identify the main hurdles, and propose future paths to move the field forward. Transferring the knowledge gained from human iPSCs can increase our understanding in the biology of pluripotent cells in animals, but it is critical to further investigate the differences among species to develop specific approaches for animal iPSCs. This is key for significantly advancing iPSC application in veterinary medicine, which at the same time will also allow gaining pre-clinical knowledge transferable to human medicine.
Risk Analysis: Changing the Story with the Statistical Stochastic Process and VaR
Authors: Wu Lianghong
Published: April 2023

With the dramatically increased demand for data analysis, statistical techniques play a key role in modern society for both academics and practitioners. Statistical techniques have been evolving from descriptive statistics to statistical inference in fields that require the evaluation of uncertainty and the quantification of risks. With the growing complexity of various fields, such as manufacturing and industrial applications, as well as business decision-making, modeling and quantifying risks has become essential. In this paper, we aimed to use statistical risk analysis and Value at Risk (VaR) to address the decision problem for project portfolios. Traditional economic evaluation criteria used in the management of project portfolios, as they pertain to new product development (NPD), are based on the assumption that pinpoint estimations will remain constant in the future. The assumption that NPD is static, however, is clearly unrealistic due to the inherent uncertainty of NPD projects. In this study, we stress the critical role that uncertainty plays in the selection of NPD portfolios, and clarify the reasons why it must not be overlooked. Using Value at Risk measurements, we show how uncertainty plays a critical role in evaluating and prioritizing NPD portfolios. The implications of this study regarding statistically modeling NPD portfolio decisions are provided for academics and practitioners.
Evusheld Prophylaxis Improves Social Interactions, Anxiety, Depression, Agoraphobia, and Quality of Life in Blood Cancer Patients
Authors: Follows Annabel M. , Clark Charlotte , Dye Catherine , King Lorraine , Skillings Gail , Byrne Grace , Tinkler Vicki , Follows George A.
Published: April 2023

Evusheld is a combination injection of tixagevimab and cilgavimab and is indicated for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. Its use has been advocated for immunosuppressed individuals, such as blood cancer patients, although uptake varies significantly between countries. Despite extensive use internationally, there has been limited analysis of potential psychological benefits that vulnerable patients might gain from receiving this prophylactic medication. In this study we have quantified four key psychological health parameters in blood cancer patients who received Evusheld (EQ5D-3L quality of life score, DSM5 Agoraphobia score, Duke’s Social Support Index and the hospital anxiety and depression score) and compared their responses with a control group of patients who did not receive Evusheld. We show that patients who opted for treatment had higher baseline markers of psychological stress and ill-health compared with non-treated individuals but that treatment with Evusheld significantly improved the psychological health of recipients and increased the level of physical social/work interactions over that of control patients. Although there are limitations with this small study, the findings strongly suggest that Evusheld prophylaxis can provide significant psychological benefits for vulnerable blood cancer patients who have significant anxiety about COVID-19 infection.
Tensor Representation Method Applied to Magnesium Alloys
Authors: Zubelewicz Aleksander
Published: April 2023

The tensor representation method (TRM) offers tensorial tools suitable for streamlining the development of constitutive models. The TRM reduces the empiricism of phenomenological descriptions and provides physics-based justifications for the tensorial construction of material models. The method is presented in a stepwise manner, thus giving the reader an opportunity to appreciate the details of the concept. The selected material is magnesium alloy AZ31B (wt% composition: Mg 95.8, Al 3.0, Zn 1.0, and Mn 0.2), and the choice is not coincidental. The hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure of rolled sheets exhibits highly directional plastic flow, while the crystallographic reorientations add to the complexity of the material’s behavior. A generic structure of the deformation mechanisms is determined first. In the next step, the TRM tools enable the coupling of the mechanisms with proper stimuli. Lastly, the thermo-mechanical flow rules for plasticity and twinning complete the constitutive description. The model predictions for Mg AZ31B have been compared with experimental data, demonstrating a desirable level of predictability.
Research on the Impact of Energy Efficiency on Green Development: A Case Study of the Yellow River Basin in China
Authors: Liu Jianhua , Zhang Yingying , Pu Lingyu , Huang Liangchao , Wang Huiyang , Sarfraz Muddassar
Published: April 2023

In order to achieve China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality (double carbon) targets and to advance ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, it is essential that China reduces its energy intensity and increases its energy efficiency. This research developed an evaluation index system for energy efficiency and green development in the Yellow River Basin based on panel data collected from 64 of its prefecture-level cities and covering the period from 2011 to 2020. Each city’s energy efficiency and green development level index was calculated, and was analyzed together with the characteristics of its spatial pattern progression. The STIRPAT model was then used to investigate the influence mechanism of energy efficiency on green development. The final step in the analysis was to assess the process by which technical innovation influences the rise in energy efficiency from a green development point of view. The findings of this study indicate that: (1) There was a marked improvement in energy efficiency and green development levels across the Yellow River Basin over the study period of 2011 to 2020, but there are notable disparities among prefecture-level cities, with higher levels found in capital cities and cities in the lower reaches of the basin. (2) The improvement in energy efficiency has had a positive impact on the transition to green development, with factors such as human capital, urbanization levels, and the upgrading of industrial structures contributing significantly, while the level of foreign direct investment has had a limited impact. (3) Technological innovation plays a partial role in mediating the relationship between energy efficiency and green development in the Yellow River Basin, and passes the single-threshold test. When technological innovation surpasses the threshold value, the effect of energy efficiency on green development is significantly strengthened. This study indicates that improving energy efficiency, stimulating emerging industries, and enhancing technological innovation capabilities can significantly promote transformative green and high quality development in the Yellow River Basin of China.
High Heat Flux Testing of Graded W-Steel Joining Concepts for the First Wall
Authors: Ganesh Vishnu , Dorow-Gerspach Daniel , Bram Martin , Linsmeier Christian , Matejicek Jiri , Vilemova Monika
Published: April 2023

The realization of the first wall (FW), which is composed of a protective tungsten (W) armor covering the structural steel material, is a critical challenge in the development of future fusion reactors. Due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of W and steel, the direct joining of them results in cyclic thermal stress at their bonding seam during the operation of the fusion reactor. To address this issue, this study benchmarks two joining concepts. The first concept uses an atmospheric plasma sprayed graded interlayer composed of W/steel composites with a varying content of W and steel to gradually change the CTE. The second concept uses a spark plasma sintered graded interlayer. Furthermore, in order to benchmark these concepts, a directly bonded W-steel reference joint as well as a W-steel joint featuring a vanadium interlayer were also tested. These joints were tested under steady-state high heat flux cyclic loading, starting from a heat flux of 1 MW/m2 up to 4.5 MW/m2, with stepwise increments of 0.5 MW/m2. At each heat flux level, 200 thermal cycles were performed. The joints featuring a sintered graded interlayer survived only until 1.5 MW/m2 of loading, while the joint featuring plasma sprayed graded interlayer and V interlayer survived until 3 MW/m2.
Fingering Instability of Binary Droplets on Oil Pool
Authors: Hasegawa Koji , Kishimoto Yuya
Published: April 2023

The interfacial instability of a complex fluid in a multiphase flow system is ubiquitous in both nature and industry. We experimentally investigated the spreading and interfacial instability dynamics of a binary droplet (a water and 2-propanol (IPA) mixture) on an immiscible (sunflower oil) pool. For droplets of 40 wt% IPA solution on sunflower oil, fingering instability occurred at the spreading liquid front. To reveal the interfacial characteristics of the spreading and fingering processes, we analyzed the interplay among the speed, diameter, and number of fingers on the spreading front. Based on our observations, the finger length, wavelength between the fingers, head length, and neck length were quantified. Our experimental results clearly demonstrate that fingering instability can be driven by the capillary effect for a liquid–liquid system as well as the Plateau–Rayleigh instability. We hope that our results will inspire further experimental and numerical investigations to provide deeper insights into the interfacial dynamics of multicomponent droplets in a liquid pool.
Relationship between Rate-Limiting Process and Scaling Law in Gel Growth Induced by Liquid-Liquid Contact
Authors: Yamamoto Takao
Published: April 2023

Gelation through the liquid-liquid contact between a polymer solution and a gelator solution has been attempted with various combinations of gelator and polymer solutions. In many combinations, the gel growth dynamics is expressed as X∼t, where X is the gel thickness and t is the elapsed time, and the scaling law holds for the relationship between X and t. In the blood plasma gelation, however, the crossover of the growth behavior from X∼t in the early stage to X∼t in the late stage was observed. It was found that the crossover behavior is caused by a change in the rate-limiting process of growth from the free-energy-limited process to the diffusion-limited process. How, then, would the crossover phenomenon be described in terms of the scaling law? We found that the scaling law does not hold in the early stage owing to the characteristic length attributable to the free energy difference between the sol-gel phases, but it does in the late stage. We also discussed the analysis method for the crossover in terms of the scaling law.
Age-Friendly Cities in Latin America: A Human Ecological Framework
Authors: Guillemot Jonathan R. , Warner Mildred E.
Published: April 2023

Despite the demographic aging of Latin America, the uptake of the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Framework remains extremely low, with the notable exceptions of Chile, Mexico and Brazil. We argue for a broader human ecological framework, which focuses on the macro, meso and micro levels, to better address the context, challenges and opportunities for age-friendly cities in the Latin American region. The WHO’s age-friendly city domains are primarily at the meso (community) scale, with a focus on built environment, services and participation. We call for more attention to be paid to the macro policy scale to address concerns regarding migration, demography and social policy context. More attention also should be given to the micro scale to recognize the critical role of family and informal care supports. It is possible that the WHO domains are the result of a design bias, with Global North settings in mind for their development. We find the domains of UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, which give more attention to the realities of the Global South, helpful to broaden the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Framework.
Quaternary Sediments in Geosites: Evidence from the Western Caucasus
Authors: Ruban Dmitry A.
Published: April 2023

Some previous studies have already highlighted the importance of Quaternary sediments as geoheritage, although the related knowledge remains incomplete and geographically biased. Unique Quaternary features are often overlooked in areas famous for their pre-Quaternary geoheritage. Moreover, the already established high-value linked to pre-Quaternary phenomena require comprehensive descriptions; therefore, it is reasonable to analyze the related Quaternary features (even if these are only locally unique). For the purposes of the present study, three localities that form parts of larger geosites, and which represent Quaternary sediments of Mountainous Adygeya in the Western Caucasus, are characterized. They are assessed qualitatively, with a general description of sediments and attention paid to their origin, potential scientific importance, and accessibility. The Rufabgo Canyon hosts colluvial megaclast sediments. The Dakh–Sakhray Confluence exhibits typical alluvial sediment where detrital clasts are mixed with rather numerous Fe-rich concretions washed out from the parent rocks. The Stonesea Range exhibits mixed eluvial–deluvial sediment formed as a result of the karstification of carbonates and the erosion of overlaying red siliciclastics. All these sediments are of interest to scientists because they can be employed for promising research projects, revealing the peculiarities of the local patterns of Quaternary sedimentation. The localities under consideration are geoheritage points within the larger geosites and are perfectly accessible. Aside from their use by scientists, these localities can potentially be used by geosciences educators to train university students in sedimentology. In two cases, the sediments are also aesthetically important for attracting tourists. Generally, Quaternary sediments should be considered together with the other unique features represented in the geosites of Mountainous Adygeya.
Deregulation of the miR-19b/PPP2R5E Signaling Axis Shows High Functional Impact in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Santos Andrea , Cristóbal Ion , Caramés Cristina , Luque Melani , Sanz-Álvarez Marta , Madoz-Gúrpide Juan , Rojo Federico , García-Foncillas Jesús
Published: April 2023

MicroRNA (miR)-19b is deregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) and locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), predicting worse outcome and disease progression in CRC patients, and acting as a promising prognostic marker of patient recurrence and pathological response to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in LARC. Moreover, there is a strong inverse correlation between miR-19b and PPP2R5E in LARC, and both predict the response to neoadjuvant therapy in LARC patients. However, the functional role of the miR-19b/PPP2R5E axis in CRC cells remains to be experimentally evaluated. Here, we confirm with luciferase assays that miR-19b is a direct negative regulator of PPP2R5E in CRC, which is concordant with the observed decreased PP2A activity levels after miR-19b overexpression. Furthermore, PPP2R5E downregulation plays a key role mediating miR-19b-induced oncogenic effects, increasing cell viability, colonosphere formation ability, and the migration of CRC cells. Lastly, we also confirm the role of miR-19b mediating 5-FU sensitivity of CRC cells through negative PPP2R5E regulation. Altogether, our findings demonstrate the functional relevance of the miR-19b/PPP2R5E signaling pathway in disease progression, and its potential therapeutic value determining the 5-FU response of CRC cells.
Machine Learning Models for the Identification of Prognostic and Predictive Cancer Biomarkers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Al-Tashi Qasem , Saad Maliazurina B. , Muneer Amgad , Qureshi Rizwan , Mirjalili Seyedali , Sheshadri Ajay , Le Xiuning , Vokes Natalie I. , Zhang Jianjun , Wu Jia
Published: April 2023

The identification of biomarkers plays a crucial role in personalized medicine, both in the clinical and research settings. However, the contrast between predictive and prognostic biomarkers can be challenging due to the overlap between the two. A prognostic biomarker predicts the future outcome of cancer, regardless of treatment, and a predictive biomarker predicts the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention. Misclassifying a prognostic biomarker as predictive (or vice versa) can have serious financial and personal consequences for patients. To address this issue, various statistical and machine learning approaches have been developed. The aim of this study is to present an in-depth analysis of recent advancements, trends, challenges, and future prospects in biomarker identification. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant studies published between 2017 and 2023. The selected studies were analyzed to better understand the concept of biomarker identification, evaluate machine learning methods, assess the level of research activity, and highlight the application of these methods in cancer research and treatment. Furthermore, existing obstacles and concerns are discussed to identify prospective research areas. We believe that this review will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, providing insights into the methods and approaches used in biomarker discovery and identifying future research opportunities.
Effect of Lacking ZKSCAN3 on Autophagy, Lysosomal Biogenesis and Senescence
Authors: Li Xiao-Min , Wen Jun-Hao , Feng Ze-Sen , Wu Yun-Shan , Li Dong-Yi , Liang Shan , Wu Dan , Wu Hong-Luan , Li Shang-Mei , Ye Zhen-Nan , Yang Chen , Sun Lin , Tang Ji-Xin , Liu Hua-Feng
Published: April 2023

Transcription factors can affect autophagy activity by promoting or inhibiting the expression of autophagic and lysosomal genes. As a member of the zinc finger family DNA-binding proteins, ZKSCAN3 has been reported to function as a transcriptional repressor of autophagy, silencing of which can induce autophagy and promote lysosomal biogenesis in cancer cells. However, studies in Zkscan3 knockout mice showed that the deficiency of ZKSCAN3 did not induce autophagy or increase lysosomal biogenesis. In order to further explore the role of ZKSCAN3 in the transcriptional regulation of autophagic genes in human cancer and non-cancer cells, we generated ZKSCAN3 knockout HK-2 (non-cancer) and Hela (cancer) cells via the CRISPR/Cas9 system and analyzed the differences in gene expression between ZKSCAN3 deleted cells and non-deleted cells through fluorescence quantitative PCR, western blot and transcriptome sequencing, with special attention to the differences in expression of autophagic and lysosomal genes. We found that ZKSCAN3 may be a cancer-related gene involved in cancer progression, but not an essential transcriptional repressor of autophagic or lysosomal genes, as the lacking of ZKSCAN3 cannot significantly promote the expression of autophagic and lysosomal genes.
The Role of Supplements and Over-the-Counter Products to Improve Sleep in Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Innocenti Alice , Lentini Giuliana , Rapacchietta Serena , Cinnirella Paola , Elia Maurizio , Ferri Raffaele , Bruni Oliviero
Published: April 2023

The sleep–wake cycle is a complex multifactorial process involving several neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, histamine, dopamine, orexin and GABA, that can be, in turn, regulated by different nutrients involved in their metabolic pathways. Although good sleep quality in children has been proven to be a key factor for optimal cognitive, physical and psychological development, a significant and ever-increasing percentage of the pediatric population suffers from sleep disorders. In children, behavioral interventions along with supplements are recommended as the first line treatment. This systematic review was conducted, according to the PRISMA guidelines, with the purpose of assessing the principal nutrients involved in the pathways of sleep-regulating neurotransmitters in children and adolescents. Our focus was the utilization of over the counter (OTC) products, specifically iron, hydroxytryptophan, theanine and antihistamines in the management of different pediatric sleep disorders with the intention of providing a practical guide for the clinician.
Mediators of Placebo Response to Cannabinoid Treatment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Aran Adi , Harel Moria , Ovadia Aminadav , Shalgy Shulamit , Cayam-Rand Dalit
Published: April 2023

The placebo response has a substantial impact on treatment outcome. However, data regarding mediators of the placebo response in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are sparse. This retrospective study investigated possible mediators of the placebo response among participants of a placebo-controlled trial of cannabinoid treatment for behavioral problems in children with ASD (CBA trial, age 5–21 years). We used a specifically designed questionnaire to explore possible mediators of the placebo response in 88 participants of the CBA trial who received a placebo and had valid outcome scores. The parents of 67 participants completed the questionnaire. The placebo response was positively associated with the child’s comprehension of the treatment purpose (p = 0.037). There was also a trend for participants who had a relative aggravation of symptoms before treatment onset to improve following placebo treatment (p = 0.053). No other domains, including parental expectations, previous positive experience with similar treatments (behavioral conditioning), parental locus of control, quality of the patient–physician relationships, and adherence to study medications were associated with placebo-response. This finding suggests that efforts to explain the treatment purpose to children with disabilities may enhance treatment efficacy in clinical practice and decrease differences in the placebo response between study arms. Contrary to our hypothesis, parental expectations regarding cannabinoid treatment were not associated with the placebo response.
The Effects of Anchor Schemes on Performance Fatigability, Neuromuscular Responses and the Perceived Sensations That Contributed to Task Termination
Authors: Smith Robert W. , Housh Terry J. , Arnett Jocelyn E. , Anders John Paul V. , Neltner Tyler J. , Ortega Dolores G. , Schmidt Richard J. , Johnson Glen O.
Published: April 2023

The present study examined the effect of anchor schemes on the time to task failure (TTF), performance fatigability, neuromuscular responses, and the perceived sensations that contributed to task termination following the sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks. Eight women completed sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks anchored to RPE = 8 (RPEFT) and the torque (TRQFT) that corresponded to RPE = 8. The subjects performed pre-test and post-test maximal isometric contractions to quantify performance fatigability and changes in electromyographic amplitude (EMG AMP) and neuromuscular efficiency (NME). In addition, the subjects completed a post-test questionnaire (PTQ) to quantify the contributions of perceived sensations to task termination. Repeated measure ANOVAs were used to assess the mean differences for TTF, performance fatigability, and neuromuscular responses. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests were used to assess the differences between anchor schemes for the average values from the PTQ item scores. For TTF, the RPEFT was longer than the TRQFT (174.9 ± 85.6 vs. 65.6 ± 68.0 s; p = 0.006). Collapsed across the anchor scheme, there were decreases in torque (23.7 ± 5.5 Nm vs. 19.6 ± 4.9 Nm; p < 0.001) and NME (1.00 ± 0.00 vs. 0.76 ± 0.15; p = 0.003). There were no significant (p > 0.577) changes for EMG AMP. For the PTQ, there were no differences (p > 0.05) between anchor schemes. There were, however, inter-individual differences in the response scores. The current findings indicated that performance fatigability was likely due to peripheral fatigue (based on NME), not central fatigue (based on EMG AMP). Furthermore, the use of a PTQ may serve as a simple tool to assess the contributions of perceived sensations to task termination.
SPR Sensor-Based Analysis of the Inhibition of Marine Sulfated Glycans on Interactions between Monkeypox Virus Proteins and Glycosaminoglycans
Authors: He Peng , Shi Deling , Li Yunran , Xia Ke , Kim Seon Beom , Dwivedi Rohini , Farrag Marwa , Pomin Vitor H. , Linhardt Robert J. , Dordick Jonathan S. , Zhang Fuming
Published: April 2023

Sulfated glycans from marine organisms are excellent sources of naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan (GAG) mimetics that demonstrate therapeutic activities, such as antiviral/microbial infection, anticoagulant, anticancer, and anti-inflammation activities. Many viruses use the heparan sulfate (HS) GAG on the surface of host cells as co-receptors for attachment and initiating cell entry. Therefore, virion–HS interactions have been targeted to develop broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics. Here we report the potential anti-monkeypox virus (MPXV) activities of eight defined marine sulfated glycans, three fucosylated chondroitin sulfates, and three sulfated fucans extracted from the sea cucumber species Isostichopus badionotus, Holothuria floridana, and Pentacta pygmaea, and the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus, as well as two chemically desulfated derivatives. The inhibitions of these marine sulfated glycans on MPXV A29 and A35 protein–heparin interactions were evaluated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). These results demonstrated that the viral surface proteins of MPXV A29 and A35 bound to heparin, which is a highly sulfated HS, and sulfated glycans from sea cucumbers showed strong inhibition of MPXV A29 and A35 interactions. The study of molecular interactions between viral proteins and host cell GAGs is important in developing therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of MPXV.
Learning Curve for Short-Stem Total HIP Arthroplasty through an Anterolateral Approach
Authors: Bischofreiter Martin , Kölblinger Christina , Stumpner Thomas , Gruber Michael Stephan , Gattringer Michael , Kindermann Harald , Mattiassich Georg , Ortmaier Reinhold
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: Short-stem total hip arthroplasty has become increasingly popular in recent years. While many studies have shown excellent clinical and radiological results, very little is known about the learning curve for short-stem total hip arthroplasty through an anterolateral approach. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the learning curve for short-stem total hip arthroplasty among five residents in training. Materials and Methods: We performed retrospective data analysis of the first 30 cases of five randomly selected residents (n = 150 cases) with no experience before the index surgery. All patients were comparable, and several surgical parameters and radiological outcomes were analyzed. Results: The only surgical parameter with a significant improvement was the surgical time (p = 0.025). The changes in other surgical parameters and radiological outcomes showed no significant changes; only trends can be derived. As a result, the correlation between surgical time, blood loss, length of stay, and incision/suture time can also be seen. Only two of the five residents showed significant improvements in all examined surgical parameters. Conclusions: There are individual differences among the first 30 cases of the five residents. Some improved their surgical skills faster than others. It could be assumed that they assimilated their surgical skills after more surgeries. A further study with more than 30 cases of the five surgeons could provide more information on that assumption.
Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Combined with Integrated Learning to Identify Soybean Oil with Different Frying Durations
Authors: Luo Hui , Yang Kaiyun , Ji Lili , Kong Lingqi , Lu Wei
Published: April 2023

Soybean oil produces harmful substances after long durations of frying. A rapid and nondestructive identification approach for soybean oil was proposed based on photoacoustic spectroscopy and stacking integrated learning. Firstly, a self-designed photoacoustic spectrometer was built for spectral data collection of soybean oil with various frying times. At the same time, the actual free fatty acid content and acid value in soybean oil were measured by the traditional titration experiment, which were the basis for soybean oil quality detection. Next, to eliminate the influence of noise, the spectrum from 1150 cm−1 to 3450 cm−1 was selected to remove noise by ensemble empirical mode decomposition. Then three dimensionality reduction methods of principal component analysis, successive projection algorithm, and competitive adaptive reweighting algorithm were used to reduce the dimension of spectral information to extract the characteristic wavelength. Finally, an integrated model with three weak classifications was used for soybean oil detection by stacking integrated learning. The results showed that three obvious absorption peaks existed at 1747 cm−1, 2858 cm−1, and 2927 cm−1 for soluble sugars and unsaturated oils, and the model based on stacking integrated learning could improve the classification accuracy from 0.9499 to 0.9846. The results prove that photoacoustic spectroscopy has a good detection ability for edible oil quality detection.
Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments
Authors: Metshein Margus , Tuulik Varje-Riin , Tuulik Viiu , Kumm Monika , Min Mart , Annus Paul
Published: April 2023

Background: Pelotherapy is the traditional procedure of applying curative muds on the skin’s surface—shown to have a positive effect on the human body and cure illnesses. The effect of pelotherapy is complex, functioning through several mechanisms, and depends on the skin’s functional condition. The current research objective was to develop a methodology and electrodes to assess the passage of the chemical and biologically active compounds of curative mud through human skin by performing electrical bioimpedance (EBI) analysis. Methods: The methodology included local area mud pack and simultaneous tap water compress application on the forearms with the comparison to the measurements of the dry skin. A custom-designed small-area gold-plated electrode on a rigid printed circuit board, in a tetrapolar configuration, was designed. A pilot study experiment with ten volunteers was performed. Results: Our results indicated the presence of an effect of pelotherapy, manifested by the varying electrical properties of the skin. Distinguishable difference in the measured real part of impedance (R) emerged, showing a very strong correlation between the dry and tap-water-treated skin (r = 0.941), while a poor correlation between the dry and mud-pack-treated skin (r = 0.166) appeared. The findings emerged exclusively in the frequency interval of 10 kHz …1 MHz and only for R. Conclusions: EBI provides a promising tool for monitoring the variations in the electrical properties of the skin, including the skin barrier. We foresee developing smart devices for promoting the exploitation of spa therapies.
Ultra-Wideband Compact Fractal Antenna for WiMAX, WLAN, C and X Band Applications
Authors: Marzouk Mohamed , Rhazi Youssef , Nejdi Ibrahime Hassan , Zerrad Fatima-Ezzahra , Saih Mohamed , Ahmad Sarosh , Ghaffar Adnan , Hussein Mousa
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a compact dual-wideband fractal antenna is created for Bluetooth, WiMAX, WLAN, C, and X band applications. The proposed antenna consists of a circularly shaped resonator that contains square slots and a ground plane where a gap line is incorporated to increase the gain and bandwidth with a small volume of 40 × 34 × 1.6 mm3. The patch was supported by the FR4 dielectric, which had a permittivity of 4.4 and tan δ = 0.02. A 50 Ω microstrip line fed this antenna. The antenna was designed by the HFSS program, and after that, the simulated results were validated using the measured results. The measurement results confirm that the suggested antenna achieves dual-band frequencies ranging from 2.30 to 4.10 GHz, and from 6.10 GHz to 10.0 GHz, resonating at 2.8, 3.51, 6.53, and 9.37 GHz, respectively, for various applications including commercial, scholarly, and medical applications. Moreover, the antenna’s ability to operate within the frequency range of 3.1–10.6 GHz is in accordance with the FCC guidelines for the use of UWB antennas in breast cancer detection. Over the operational bands, the gain varied between 2 and 9 dB, and an efficiency of 92% was attained. A good agreement between the simulation and the measured results was found.
A New Method for the Determination of Amisulpride in a Small Volume (200 μL) of Human Saliva Using LC-DAD Supported by SPE
Authors: Dziurkowska Ewelina , Kosinska Sandra , Plenis Alina , Wesolowski Marek
Published: April 2023

(1) Background: The concentration of amisulpride, an atypical antipsychotic drug, is most often determined in the blood, with many inconveniences. An alternative may be to use saliva as a diagnostic material for this purpose. The development of a method to determine amisulpride in saliva using a small volume of biological material could significantly improve patient comfort during Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM). (2) Methods: Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a method to determine amisulpride in 200 μL of saliva using solid-phase extraction for isolation and liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (LC-DAD) for quantitative analysis. (3) Results: The method was validated by determining its linearity in the concentration range 5–500 ng/mL (R2 > 0.99), and the intra- and inter-day precision expressed as coefficient of variation (CV%) did not exceed 9%. (4) Conclusions: The developed method was used to determine the salivary concentration of amisulpride in patients treated with the studied compound, confirming its usefulness in TDM.
Empirical Modeling by Active Central Composite Rotatable Design: Orange 16 Dye Biosorption onto Biosorbents Based on Residual Bacterial Lactobacillus sp. Biomass
Authors: Zaharia Carmen , Suteu Daniela
Published: April 2023

(1) Background: This research work proposes the ‘passive’ biosorption study of Orange 16 dye onto residual Lactobacillus sp. biomass immobilized in sodium alginate using an experimental modeling design. (2) Methods: It was applied the batch biosorption methodology was applied with a real-time determination of residual dye content and biosorption efficiency (Y, %). Empirical planning was used based on an active central composite rotatable design of 23 order in which three independent variables were considered, including residual biomass concentration (2.92–13.00 g/L, mean granule size of 0.7–1.0 mm) (X1), temperature (8–42 °C) (X2) and biosorption time (4–24 h) (X3), in association with the considered dependent variable (Y). The proposed mathematical model was validated using a few statistical tools. (3) Results: The batch biosorption experiments were permitted to propose a mathematical model considering a basic value and variation step for each selected independent variable and then to validate it. The maximum experimental dye removal was 79.98% when 11 g/L immobilized biosorbent was applied in an 89.76 mg/L dye-containing solution at 15 °C and 20 h. The significance of each independent variable on dye removal was investigated and, most importantly, explained. (4) Conclusions: The residual Lactobacillus sp. biomass can be applied as an alternative biosorbent for anionic dye removal from an aqueous solution.
Process-Based Crop Models in Soil Research: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Wimalasiri Eranga M. , Ariyachandra Sachini , Jayawardhana Aruna , Dharmasekara Thejani , Jahanshiri Ebrahim , Muttil Nitin , Rathnayake Upaka
Published: April 2023

Different types of soil data are used in process-based crop models as input data. Crop models have a diverse range of applications, and soil research is one of them. This bibliographic analysis was conducted to assess the current literature on soil-related applications of crop models using two widely used crop models: Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) and Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT). The publications available in the Scopus database during the 2000–2021 period were assessed. Using 523 publications, a database on the application of process-based crop models in soil research was developed and published in an online repository, which is helpful in determining the specific application in different geographic locations. Soil-related applications on APSIM and DSSAT models were found in 41 and 43 countries, respectively. It was reported that selected crop models were used in soil water, physical properties, greenhouse gas emissions, N leaching, nutrient dynamics, and other physical and chemical properties related to applications. It can be concluded that a crop model is a promising tool for assessing a diverse range of soil-related processes in different geographic regions.
Age-Related Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Changes in Protein Conformation in an Aging Model of Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Martins Cláudia , Almeida Idália , Rebelo Sandra , Magalhães Sandra , Nunes Alexandra
Published: April 2023

The loss of proteostasis, which results in the accumulation of misfolded proteins, is one of the hallmarks of aging and is frequently associated with the aging process. Fibroblasts are a cellular model widely used in the study of aging and can mimic the loss of proteostasis that occurs in the human body. When studying human aging using fibroblasts, two approaches can be used: fibroblasts from the same donor aged in vitro until senescence or fibroblasts from donors of different ages. A previous study by our group showed that the first approach can be used in the study of aging. Thus, this work aimed to study the spectroscopic profile of human dermal fibroblasts from four donors of different ages using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to identify changes in protein conformation and to compare results with those obtained in the previous study. Partial least squares regression analysis and peak intensity analysis suggested that fibroblasts from older donors were characterized by an increase in the levels of antiparallel β-sheets and a decrease in intermolecular β-sheets, in agreement with our previous results.
Digital Inclusive Finance, Financing Constraints, and Technological Innovation of SMEs—Differences in the Effects of Financial Regulation and Government Subsidies
Authors: Zhang Lu , Chen Jiakui , Liu Ziyi , Hao Zhiyuan
Published: April 2023

Deepening the development of digital inclusive finance, dredging the impact of digital inclusive finance on the innovation path of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and strengthening financial supervision and government support are of great significance to promoting the technological innovation of SMEs. This paper selects listed companies on the New Third Board as research samples and analyzes and empirically tests the relationship between digital inclusive financial and technological innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises. The results show that digital inclusive finance can significantly promote the technological innovation level of SMEs, especially the higher the degree of digitalization, the more obvious the promotion effect. Upon further testing, it was more pronounced in the sample of high-tech industries and eastern SMEs. Digital inclusive finance can effectively alleviate the financing constraints of SMEs, thereby promoting the technological innovation of SMEs. Reasonable financial supervision and adaptive government subsidies have a positive regulating effect on the innovation incentive effect of digital inclusive finance.
Fitting Type Ia Supernova Data to a Cosmological Model Based on Einstein–Newcomb–De Sitter Space
Authors: Yershov Vladimir N.
Published: April 2023

Einstein–Newcomb–de Sitter (ENdS) space is de Sitter’s modification of spherical space used by Einstein in his first cosmological model paper published in 1917. The modification by de Sitter incorporated the topological identification of antipodal points in space previously proposed by Newcomb in 1877. De Sitter showed that space topologically modified in this way (called elliptical or projective space) satisfies Einstein’s field equations. De Sitter also found that in a space with constant positive curvature, spectral lines of remote galaxies would be red-shifted (called the de Sitter effect). However, de Sitter’s formulae relating distances to red shifts do not satisfy observational data. The likely reason for this mismatch is that de Sitter mainly focused on space curvature and ignored the identification of antipodal points. Herein, we demonstrate that it is this particular feature that allows an almost perfect fit of the ENdS-based cosmological model to observational data. We use 1701 sources from the type Ia supernovae data sample called Pantheon+, which was previously used to fit the ΛCDM model. ΛCDM and ENdS diverge in their predictions for red shifts exceeding z∼2.3. Since there are no available type Ia supernovae (SNe) data for higher red shifts, both models can be validated by using an additional sample of 193 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) spanning red shifts up to z∼8. This validation shows that the minimum χ2 for the SNe+GRBs sample is about 2.7% smaller for the ENdS space model than for the ΛCDM model.
Comparison of two GP service provider models in older adults: a register-based follow-up study
Authors: Enckell Aina , Laine Merja K , Kautiainen Hannu , Lehto Mika T , Pitkälä Kaisu H , Rahkonen Ossi , Roitto Hanna-Maria , Kauppila Timo
Published: April 2023

Background

In Finland, there have been various strategies attempting to provide access to GPs. The 'restricted-List General Practitioner model' (rLGP) was launched in primary health care (PHC) in the city of Vantaa after the 'named General Practitioner model' (nGP) failed to provide sufficient access to GPs. This was done to improve access to GP appointments for those most needing care.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of the transition from nGP to rLGP on access to non-urgent scheduled appointments among patients aged ≥75 years.

Design & setting

A register-based follow-up study in public PHC in Vantaa, Finland.

Method

The study focused on patients aged ≥75 years who used PHC from 2004–2008. It looked at the number of non-urgent and urgent scheduled appointments, patient contacts, home visits, PHC emergency department appointments, and cancelled appointments, which were recorded 7 years before and after the transition from nGP to rLGP in 2011 and adjusted to patient-years. Non-urgent appointments were booked to the patient’s own nGP or rLGP in public PHC, whereas urgent appointments could be to any GP.

Results

The number of non-urgent scheduled appointments to GPs was halved during the time of nGP, before launching the rLGP. Simultaneously, the number of urgent scheduled appointments more than tripled. The number of both started to plateau a year before the rLGP was launched. The number of both non-urgent and urgent scheduled appointments remained mainly at that level after rLGP was implemented.

Conclusion

The rLGP model was unsuccessful in improving access to non-urgent scheduled appointments to GPs.
Türkçede Nezaket ve Yüz Tehdit Eden Eylemler
Authors: HİRİK Seçil
Published: April 2023

Nezaketin bir dilbilim kavramı olarak ele alınması ile beraber Grice’la başlayan strateji geliştirme ve ilkeler öne sürme geleneği zamanla farklı araştırmacıların elinde kuramsal yaklaşıma dönüşmüştür. Lakoff (1975), Leech (1983) gibi isimlerle devam eden süreç olgun hâllerinden birine Brown ve Levinson (1987) ile ulaşmıştır. Goffman’ın yüz (face) yaklaşımını benimseyen Brown ve Levinson için nezaket, toplumu oluşturan bireyler arasındaki muhtemel sürtüşmenin önüne geçmek için kullanılması gereken bir araç niteliğindedir. Nezaket sayesinde yüz adı verilen bireysel ve toplumsal saygınlık elde edilip korunabilir hale gelebilecektir. Saygınlık konuşurun isteklerinin engellenmemesi yönünde gerçekleştiğinde olumsuz yüz (negative face); takdir edilme, onaylanma, beğenilme içerdiğinde olumlu yüz (positive face) korunmuş olacaktır. Bu sebeple yüzü koruyan dinleyici ile ilgilenme, anlaşmazlıktan kaçınma, iş birliği yapma, teklifte bulunma, saygılı olma, özür dileme gibi hem olumlu hem de olumsuz yüzü koruyan stratejiler sunulmaktadır. Söz konusu stratejiler uygulanmadığında ise hem konuşurun hem de dinleyicinin olumsuz ve olumlu yüzü zedelenmiş, yani tehlikeye girmiş kabul edilmektedir.
Bu çalışmada Oğuz Atay’ın tek tiyatro eseri olan Oyunlarla Yaşayanlar adlı metin incelenmiştir. Metinde dinleyicinin olumsuz yüzünü, dinleyicinin olumlu yüzünü ile konuşurun olumsuz yüzünü, konuşurun olumlu yüzünü tehdit eden eylemler tespit edilmiştir. Tarama sonucunda 304 eylemin izlendiği metinde dinleyicinin olumsuz yüzünü tehdit eden eylemlerin (141 eylem) daha sık tercih edildiği, konuşurun olumsuz yüzünü tehdit eden eylemlerin (11 eylem) ise genel dağılımda en az kullanıldığı görülmüştür.