bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-performance Cuk converter with turn-on switching at zero voltage and zero current
Authors: Kadhem Basim Talib , Hardan Sumer S. , Abdulhassan Khalid M.
Published: January 2023

The soft-switching technique has the potential to significantly enhance the performance of the power converter. This is primarily because it allows for an increase in the switching frequency, which ultimately leads to improved modulation quality. This raises extra concerns, particularly in high-power applications, because in a standard hard-switching converter structure, components can often not function at frequencies higher than a few hundred hertz. This paper presents a high-efficiency soft switching CUK converter.When the main and auxiliary switches are turned on and off at zero voltage, the proposed converter yields zero voltage and zero current. The suggested method is ideal for a DC-DC converter based on IGBTs or MOSFETs. The recommended systems are described using theoretical analysis, the results of computer simulations, and experimental data derived from a prototype. The design parameters of the inductance and capacitor circuit for edge-resonant soft switching were obtained using the output power and the switching duty ratio. In the end, soft-switching is better than hard-switching in terms of efficiency, particularly when operating under full load.
Arduino-based design and implementation of experimental rooms with a trombe wall for solar cells applications
Authors: Daoud Raid W. , Ali Obed Majeed , Ahmed Omer Khalil , Satam Ihab A.
Published: January 2023

The simplicity of design and construction following the researcher's or company's notion is the most typical description of solar panels. There will be a set of sensors in every design to derive information about the environment's shifting seasons and days. Two chambers of 1 m2 and 2 m in height were constructed for this study. A solar panel made from a unique exchangeable material has been installed instead of one of the walls, allowing a space between them for experimental reasons. Several temperature sensors were mounted inside and outside the chamber, as well as on the surface of the solar panel and within the air openings, in this work to record the temperature readings in various places. The used controller, an Arduino, is in charge of several operations, including controlling the solar panel's cooling device, reading and recording sensor data and storing it in RAM, controlling the orientation of the solar panel, controlling the vacuums, and regulating the on-off time of the motors. The findings show that by using sensor data, the system can keep the temperature constant when it is turned on. Additionally, the battery life will be preserved to the greatest extent feasible thanks to the well-balanced regulation of the loads.
A solution approach to minimum spanning tree problem under fermatean fuzzy environment
Authors: Mary Francis Remigius Perpetua , Mohanaselvi Swaminathan , Broumi Said
Published: January 2023

In classical graph theory, the minimal spanning tree (MST) is a subgraph with no cycles that connects each vertex with minimum edge weights. Calculating minimum spanning tree of a graph has always been a common problem throughout ages. Fuzzy minimum spanning tree (FMST) is able to handle uncertainty existing in edge weights for a fuzzy graph which occurs in real world situations. In this article, we have studied the MST problem of a directed and undirected fuzzy graph whose edge weights are represented by fermatean fuzzy numbers (FFN). We focus on determining an algorithmic approach for solving fermatean fuzzy minimum spanning tree (FFMST) using the modified Prim’s algorithm for an undirected graph and modified optimum branching algorithm for a directed graph under FFN environment. Since the proposed algorithm includes FFN ranking and arithmetic operations, we use FFNs improved scoring function to compare the weights of the edges of the graph. With the help of numerical examples, the solution technique for the proposed FFMST model is described.
Design and analysis of trans Z-source inverter for electric vehicle applications using neural network-clustering
Authors: Bharat Manish , Murty ASR , Dash Ritesh
Published: January 2023

The presented paper analyzes the detailed design of a trans Z-source inverter (ZSI) with an input from solar photovoltaic (SPV) system. Increase in SPV uses requires highly efficient SPV enabled inverters under varying weather parameters are in high demand in modern smart grid applications. The SPV-trans ZSI has high conversion efficiency because of the single-stage voltage boost conversion capability. In contradiction, the conventional voltage source inverter (VSI) requires an additional step-up transformer to boost the output voltage of inverter. This reduces the efficiency by increasing the volume of set up and also increase the cost of the system. In the proposed SPV system it provides a better output against VSI. The increase in inverter output voltage is because of shoot through time period present in ZSI. It also reduces the voltage stress and harmonics content as compared to VSI. The proposed model has been validated through MATLAB simulation.
COVID-19 classification using CNN-BiLSTM based on chest X-ray images
Authors: Cahyani Denis Eka , Hariadi Anjar Dwi , Setyawan Faisal Farris , Gumilar Langlang , Setumin Samsul
Published: January 2023

Cases of the COVID-19 virus continue to spread still needs to be considered even though we have entered the post-pandemic era. Rapid identification of COVID-19 cases is necessary to prevent the virus from spreading further. This study developed a chest X-ray-based (CXR) COVID-19 classification for COVID-19 detection using the convolutional neural network-bidirectional long short-term memory (CNN-BiLSTM) combination model and compared the CNN-BiLSTM combination model with CNN models. The CNN models used in this study are the transfer learning models, namely Resnet50, VGG19, InceptionV3, Xception, and AlexNet. This research classifies CXR into three groups: COVID-19, normal, and viral pneumonia. In comparison to other models, the Resnet50-BiLSTM model is the most accurate and hence the best. The accuracy of the Resnet50-BiLSTM model was 98.48%. The model that obtains the next highest accuracy i.e Resnet50, VGG19-BiLSTM, VGG19, InceptionV3-BiLSTM, InceptionV3, Xception-BiLSTM, Xception, AlexNet-BiLSTM, and AlexNet. In this study, precision, recall, and F1-measure are also employed to demonstrate that Resnet50-BiLSTM achieves the highest value compared to other approaches. When compared to previous studies, this study enhances classification performance results.
Five parameters extraction of single diode PV model by metaheuristic optimization method by identified built-up data
Authors: Patil Supriya R. , Burade Prakash G. , Kadam Deepak Prakash
Published: January 2023

Precision calculation of unknown photovoltaic (PV) modules or single diode models for PV cell specifications under various environmental conditions is needed to build a sunlight-based PV framework. Installing a PV system requires knowledge of all parameters, modeling, and optimization techniques because PV system analysis and configuration help generate renewable energy. This concept requires accurate modeling and calculation of identified and unknown parameters. The single-diode model is simple and accurate for different mathematical equations. Streamlining calculations requires distinguishing this nonlinear model. The current investigation calculated five unknown parameters and compared them with particle swarm optimization (PSO) and wind-driven optimization (WDO) optimization results. The said approach utilizes MATLAB software, analytical as well as optimization methods, and manufacturing data. The suggested method is simple, fast, and accurate for calculating diode ideality factor (A), output currents (Io), series resistance (Rs), Shunt resistance (Rsh), and photocurrent (Iph).
A novel pulse charger with intelligent battery management system for fast charging of electric vehicle
Authors: Kadlag Sunil Somnath , Thakre Mohan P. , Mapari Rahul , Shriwastava Rakesh , Tapre Pawan C. , Kadam Deepak P.
Published: January 2023

Electric vehicles contribute a major role in building an eco-friendly environment. Li-ion batteries are most widely used in electric vehicles. It is very important to maintain the operation of Li-ion batteries within their “safety operation area (SOA)”. Hence implementing a battery management system (BMS) becomes a necessity while using Li-ion batteries. This paper proposes an intelligent BMS for electric vehicles using proportional integral derivative (PID) control action along with artificial neural network (ANN). It prefers the improved pulse charging technique. The design consists of a battery pack containing four 12 V Li-ion batteries, MOSFETs, Arduino Uno, a transformer, a temperature sensor, a liquid-crystal displays (LCD), a cooling fan, and four relay circuit are used. Arduino Uno is used as a master controller for controlling the whole operation. Using this design approximately 38 minutes are required to fully charge the battery. Implementation results validate the system performance and efficiency of the design.
Molecular Imaging of Valvular Diseases and Cardiac Device Infection
Authors: Tarkin Jason M. , Chen Wengen , Dweck Marc R. , Dilsizian Vasken
Published: January 2023

The use of positron emission tomography imaging with
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose in the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected prosthetic valve endocarditis and cardiac device infection (implantable electronic device and left ventricular assist device) is gaining momentum in clinical practice. However, in the absence of prospective randomized trials, guideline recommendations about
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in this setting are currently largely based on expert opinion. Measurement of aortic valve microcalcification occurring as a healing response to valvular inflammation using
18
F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography represents another promising clinical approach, which is associated with both the risk of native valve stenosis progression and bioprosthetic valve degeneration in research trials. In this review, we consider the role of molecular imaging in cardiac valvular diseases, including aortic stenosis and valvular endocarditis, as well as cardiac device infections.
Be More Conceptual Regarding Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) as Art
Authors: Ito Kensuke
Published: January 2023

This statement presents the author’s proposition—“Let’s be more conceptual!”—in response to the attempt to interpret Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) as contemporary art. In the context of NFTs, this opinion has the significance of finding artistry in the underlying decentralized autonomous consensus-building, and in the context of contemporary art, it has the significance of leading to the revival of early conceptual art. The second half of this statement covers the novelty and feasibility of this opinion, referring to precedents in art and engineering.
Teacher as Mediator: How Teacher Interacts with Parents of the Victim and Agent in School Conflict
Authors: Yu Guodong , Wang Chaoqiang
Published: January 2023

The focus of this article is to compare and contrast how teachers interact with parents about their children’s involvement in school conflicts. To showcase tricky social interactions of this kind, we choose conversation analysis as a contrastive analysis method and take a pair of telephone calls in which a teacher calls the respective parents of the agent and victim involved in a school fight. Data analyses show that the teacher minimizes incident severity and reasonably attributes responsibility in her call to the victim’s parent to prompt forgiveness, whereas attributes full responsibility and maximizes incident severity in her talk with the agent’s parent to press for apology. In their responses, both parents build up “good child” and “good parent” identities and seek for the teacher’s affiliation with their parenting. The mediation calls end when mutual alignment and affiliation are achieved.
Name of the City – Social Memory and Oblivion: Wrocław Case
Authors: Biskupska Kamilla
Published: January 2023

In this paper, the author raises the question about the role of the study of oiconyms in the memory studies approach. The problem presented is the relationship between the city’s past (and culturally alien) name and the contemporary construction of its past and modern identity. The main thread discussed is the construction of the presence/absence of the pre-war name Breslau in the contemporary discourses about the city’s past of Wrocław’s elites and inhabitants. To present the issue the author analysed samples of the discursive strategies derived from academic (historical and literary) discourses and from colloquial discourses of Wrocław inhabitants (thirty in-depth narrative interviews).
Futurists from the MZO: Self-Organisation of the Ministry of the Recovered Territories in Time and Space
Authors: Ćwiek-Rogalska Karolina , Mrzygłód Izabela
Published: January 2023

Among the tasks of the Ministry of the Recovered Territories, which existed in the years 1945–1949, was planning the development of former German territories incorporated into the post-war borders of Poland. In our article, we critically read the documents of the Ministry, concerning both the spatial organisation of settlement in the Recovered Territories – normative documents and reports of the Department for Settlement, as well as the efforts to acquire a building for the headquarters of the Ministry in Warsaw. We look at how the Ministry located itself in the space of Warsaw and we read this as a reflection of the process of the settlement in the Recovered Territories. We propose an intellectual game of reading how the legal and administrative order of formerly German territories was created and we show it as a strategy for designing a new socio-political reality in vein of science fiction thinking. By using such a category, we bring out the entangled temporalities of the project of the “Recovered Territories” and the Ministry itself, as well as the scale of social and political constructivism of the post-war transition period.
How do the Intravenously Injection of Nanoparticle and Oxytatic Bacteria Affect Through Circular Cylinder Cell for Non-Newtonian Micropolar Fluid: Mathematical Approach
Authors: Alarabi Taghreed H. , Elgazery Nasser S. , Elelamy Asmaa F.
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we have researched the conduct of non-Newtonian micropolar nanofluid flow through horizontal circular under the impacts of nanoparticles, oxytatic bacterial and Hall current effects. The utilizations of the current investigation are exceptionally powerful in biomedical
therapies, for example, obliteration of malignant growth over biological cells by utilizing drug conveyance of nanoparticles and oxytatic microscopic organisms. If there should arise an occurrence of biological nanofluid it’s accepted to concern variable physical parameters which rely
on the nanofluid temperature. Implicit Chebyshev pseudospectral (ICPS) technique by helping MATHEMATICA software has been applied to governing nonlinear system of dimensionless partial differential equations (PDEs). The nanofluid velocity, microrotation angular velocity, temperature,
motile bacterial density distributions, oxygen concentration, local skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and wall motile density gradient distributions are delineated graphically for various variable physical parameters, likewise comparison between certain results in literature and our
current output is introduced and great arrangement is found.
Viscous Dissipation and Radiation Effects on MHD Heat Transfer Flow of Casson Fluid Through a Moving Wedge with Convective Boundary Condition in the Existence of Internal Heat Generation/Absorption
Authors: Amar N. , Kishan N. , Shankar Goud B.
Published: January 2023

In this investigation the problem of study is the impacts of viscous dissipation, thermal radiation on the MHD heat transfer flow of Casson fluid across a moving wedge with convective boundary condition in the existence of and internal heat generation/absorption. The governing equations
are changed to some coupled differential equations which are not nonlinear with aid of similarity variable. The numerical calculations of the equations are elucidated by the MATLAB package solver bvp5c. The changes of the pertinent constraints on the momentum and temperature have been discussed
through graphs and numerical values of skin friction and heat transfer factor are listed in the tabular pattern. The velocity increases and the temperature decreases as λ > 1 increases in the instance λ, also temperature increases with an increase of Radiation
parameter.
Unsteady Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Cu–Al2O3/Water Hybrid Nanofluid Flow and Heat Transfer from an Exponentially Accelerated Plate
Authors: Sridevi Ch. , Sailakumari A.
Published: January 2023

The present study intends to explore heat transfer characteristics of the unsteady natural convective flow of Cu–Al2O3/water hybrid nanofluid due to exponentially accelerated vertical plate. 2D Laminar viscous incompressible boundary layer fluid flow is considered
in the presence of MHD and accelerating parameter. The governing partial differential equations with appropriate boundary conditions are solved using the Crank-Nicolson numerical technique. Plots for skin friction coefficient, velocity, temperature, Nusselt number concerning Magnetic parameter
(M), Accelerating parameter (a), Grashof number (Gr), Volume fraction (Φ2), and time are disclosed. The study imparted that Cu–Al2O3 hybrid nanoparticles with water as base fluid facilitate a higher heat transfer rate and soaring Nusselt number
compared to nanofluid Cu/water. Furthermore, we found an elevated skin friction coefficient in nanofluid Cu/water than in hybrid nanofluid Cu–Al2O3/water in all non-dimensional parameters.
Effect of Cavity Undulations and Thermal Boundary Conditions on Natural Convection and Entropy Generation in CuO-Water/Al2O3-Water Nanofluid
Authors: Acharya Swastik
Published: January 2023

The present work reports natural convection and entropy generation inside the cavity (with a plane or undulated wall) filled with CuO-Water or Al2O3-Water nanofluid. The results are produced considering the effect of Rayleigh number, Darcy number, Hartmann number
and volume fraction of nanofluid (Φ). Heat transfer improves with the mixing of nanoparticles only for the case of Da of 0.01 for all Ra. Various thermal boundary conditions such as uniform, sinusoidally and linearly varying temperature have been imposed at the wavy hot wall. It
is found that the average surface Nu for the cavity with uniform temperature is more compared to sinusoidally or linearly varying temperature. Nu for a cavity filled with Al2O3-Water nanofluid is slightly lower than the CuOWater nanofluid for all cases. Local Nu for the
plane and undulated wall has been plotted, which shows that it is maximum at the crest of the undulated wall. In addition to the heat transfer, entropy generation is determined against all the relevant parameters, which adds more value to the present work.
Joule Heating and Viscous Dissipation Effects on a Stretching/Shrinking Cannel Filled by Micropolar Hybrid Nanofluid in Presence Thermal/Solar Radiation
Authors: El-dawy H. A. , El-Amin Mohamed F. , Raizah Zehba A.
Published: January 2023

The main goal for this research is to investigate the effect of two composed hybrid nanoparticle materials in heat transfer with account several parameters and in two cases. In addition, exploring how the micropolar hybrid nanofluid (Cu–TiO2) behaves in a shrinking
and expansion of the channel. The model considers external factors such as magnetic fields, heat radiation, and solar radiation. The boundary layer approach has been utilized to create transformations that pout the equations of the system in the dimensionless form. The shooting method has
been combined with the fourth-order Runge-Kutta-Gill to numerically solve the modified ordinary differential equations. The impacts of the nanoparticles transport on the heat transfer and fluid flow are addressed, and the results are compared to the case of pure water. The velocity, isotherms,
angular-velocity, and concentration distributions, are given in tables or graphs. It was found that the effect of heat on the hybrid nanofluids is directly proportional to its velocity and angular velocity. For mass fraction of the two nanofluids φ1 and φ2,
the velocity profile f′(η) has a comparable influence for both hybrid nanofluid and nanofluid. The larger quantity of the factors φ1, φ2, M and Q enhance the temperature. For M, φ1 and
φ2, the angular velocity profile g(η) has a comparable influence for both hybrid and magnetic parameter. The absorption parameter storing the radiation energy and augmentation of the solar irradiance immersion capacity leads to a greater heat transfer.
Linear and Quadratic Radiation of Dynamical Non-Fourier Flux in a Disk Flow with the Suspension of Hybrid Nanoparticles
Authors: Suresh Sathy , Shanthi S. R. , Madaki A. G. , Sathish Kumar M. , Raju C. S. K.
Published: January 2023

Considering putting in diverse nanoparticles to the base fluid is the latest technique to increase the thermal accomplishment of ordinary fluids. for the present investigation, the flow and heat transfer of nanofluids over a spinning disk with an invariable stretching pace is observed.
The non-Fourier flux, magnetic field, and radian heat have all been paid regard to. The nanoparticle used here is Graphene with water as a base fluid. The governing equations are reshaped by utilizing Von Karman transformation and worked it out numerically via boundary value problem solver
(bvp5c). We also provided some of the results with magnetic field and beside magnetic field cases and found disparity in both circumstances. Results pointed out that with little proliferation in stretching force constant, the skin friction and the local Nusselt number, the velocity in radial
and axial paths improved, when the velocity in the tangential trend and the thermal boundary layer thickness reduce, significantly.
T-cell replete cord transplants give superior outcomes in high-risk and relapsed/refractory pediatric myeloid malignancy
Authors: Horgan Claire , Mullanfiroze Khushnuma , Rauthan Archana , Patrick Katharine , Butt Naeem Akram , Mirci-Danicar Oana , O’Connor Olya , Furness Caroline , Deshpande Akshay , Lawson Sarah , Broderick Valerie , Evans Pamela , Gibson Brenda , Roberts Wing , Ali Salah , Galani Sevasti , Kirkwood Amy A. , Jovanovic Jelena , Dillon Richard , Virgo Paul , James Beki , Rao Kanchan , Amrolia Persis J. , Wynn Robert F.
Published: January 2023

Stem cell transplant (SCT) outcomes in high-risk and relapsed/refractory (R/R) pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) have been historically poor. Cord blood (CB) allows T-cell replete CB transplant (TRCB), enabling enhanced graft-versus-leukemia. We consecutively collected data from 367 patients undergoing TRCB (112 patients) or other cell source (255 patients) SCT for pediatric AML/MDS in the United Kingdom and Ireland between January 2014 and December 2021. Data were collected about the patient’s demographics, disease, and its treatment; including previous transplant, measurable residual disease (MRD) status at transplant, human leukocyte antigen–match, relapse, death, graft versus host disease (GvHD), and transplant-related mortality (TRM). Univariable and multivariable analyses were undertaken. There was a higher incidence of poor prognosis features in the TRCB cohort: 51.4% patients were MRD positive at transplant, 46.4% had refractory disease, and 21.4% had relapsed after a previous SCT, compared with 26.1%, 8.6%, and 5.1%, respectively, in the comparator group. Event free survival was 64.1% within the TRCB cohort, 50% in MRD-positive patients, and 79% in MRD-negative patients. To allow for the imbalance in baseline characteristics, a multivariable analysis was performed where the TRCB cohort had significantly improved event free survival, time to relapse, and reduced chronic GvHD, with some evidence of improved overall survival. The effect appeared similar regardless of the MRD status. CB transplant without serotherapy may be the optimal transplant option for children with myeloid malignancy.
Experimental study on the compression behavior of long timber column strengthened with the novel hybrid fiber sheets
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Chun Qing , Zhang Chengwen , Ma Shiyu , Cao Guang , Dong Qingchong
Published: January 2023

Long timber columns are widely used in traditional timber structures worldwide; however, many of them possess bearing capacity issues and have to be strengthened. The current study aims to develop the novel Hybrid fiber reinforced polymers (HFRP) sheets suitable for long timber columns. In the first stage, six HFRP sheets were designed, and the evaluation of these sheets was carried out by the tensile tests and the Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests. Secondly, for the compression test, two sets of 36 timber columns were designed utilizing six types of HFRP sheets. Finally, the effects of different sheet types and strengthening methods on the compressive performance of timber columns were investigated. The findings reveal that bidirectional HFRP sheets have excellent compressive performance for timber columns. In the case of using one-layer interval reinforcement, the bearing capacity can be increased by 22.27%, which is 12.15–17.81% higher than that of the unidirectional HFRP sheets. Compared with one-layer reinforcement, the two-layer reinforcement increased from 0.91% to 5.35%. The current study's findings are intended to provide an essential scientific foundation for the advancement of fiber-reinforced timber column technology and the preservation of the heritage of timber structures.
PDA-PRGCN: identification of Piwi-interacting RNA-disease associations through subgraph projection and residual scaling-based feature augmentation
Authors: Zhang Ping , Sun Weicheng , Wei Dengguo , Li Guodong , Xu Jinsheng , You Zhuhong , Zhao Bowei , Li Li
Published: January 2023

Background

Emerging evidences show that Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) play a pivotal role in numerous complex human diseases. Identifying potential piRNA-disease associations (PDAs) is crucial for understanding disease pathogenesis at molecular level. Compared to the biological wet experiments, the computational methods provide a cost-effective strategy. However, few computational methods have been developed so far.

Results

Here, we proposed an end-to-end model, referred to as PDA-PRGCN (PDA prediction using subgraph Projection and Residual scaling-based feature augmentation through Graph Convolutional Network). Specifically, starting with the known piRNA-disease associations represented as a graph, we applied subgraph projection to construct piRNA-piRNA and disease-disease subgraphs for the first time, followed by a residual scaling-based feature augmentation algorithm for node initial representation. Then, we adopted graph convolutional network (GCN) to learn and identify potential PDAs as a link prediction task on the constructed heterogeneous graph. Comprehensive experiments, including the performance comparison of individual components in PDA-PRGCN, indicated the significant improvement of integrating subgraph projection, node feature augmentation and dual-loss mechanism into GCN for PDA prediction. Compared with state-of-the-art approaches, PDA-PRGCN gave more accurate and robust predictions. Finally, the case studies further corroborated that PDA-PRGCN can reliably detect PDAs.

Conclusion

PDA-PRGCN provides a powerful method for PDA prediction, which can also serve as a screening tool for studies of complex diseases.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals biosynthesis genes and transcription factors related to leaf anthocyanin biosynthesis in Aglaonema commutatum
Authors: Li Ji , Wu Kunlin , Li Lin , Ma Guohua , Fang Lin , Zeng Songjun
Published: January 2023

Background

Aglaonema commutatum ‘Red Valentine’, as a foliage ornamental plant, is widely used for interior and exterior decoration because of its easy cultivation and management. However, reduced proportion of red foliage during large-scale production of A. commutatum seedlings is a frequent occurrence, which has considerable implications on the plant’s ornamental and market value. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear.

Results

To explore the molecular basis of the variation in leaf color of A. commutatum Red Valentine, we performed transcriptome sequencing with the Illumina platform using two different varieties of A. commutatum, namely Red Valentine and a green mutant, at three different stages of leaf development. We annotated 63,621 unigenes and 14,186 differentially expressed genes by pairwise comparison. Furthermore, we identified 26 anthocyanin biosynthesis structural genes. The transcript per million (TPM) values were significantly higher for Red Valentine than for the green mutant in all three developmental stages, consistent with the high anthocyanin content of Red Valentine leaves. We detected positive transcription factors that may be involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis using BLAST and through correlation analysis. Downregulation of these transcription factors may downregulate the expression of anthocyanin genes. We obtained full-length cDNA of the anthocyanin biosynthesis and regulatory genes and constructed phylogenetic trees to ensure accuracy of the analysis.

Conclusions

Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying leaf variation in A. commutatum Red Valentine and may be used to facilitate the breeding of ornamental cultivars with high anthocyanin levels.
Digital medicine: the next big leap advancing cardiovascular science
Authors: Kharlamov Alexander , Lamberts Morten
Published: January 2023

Solid clinical and academic leadership remains necessary to ensure that healthcare based on digital technologies is relevant, meaningful, and stands on the best possible evidence. This compendium accompanying the “Digital Technologies in Cardiovascular Disorders” article collection in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders summarizes recent knowledge about robust and advanced digital tools for preventing, monitoring, diagnosing, and treating cardiovascular diseases.
Heterogeneity estimation in meta-analysis of standardized mean differences when the distribution of random effects departs from normal: A Monte Carlo simulation study
Authors: Blázquez-Rincón Desirée , Sánchez-Meca Julio , Botella Juan , Suero Manuel
Published: January 2023

Background

Advantages of meta-analysis depend on the assumptions underlying the statistical procedures used being met. One of the main assumptions that is usually taken for granted is the normality underlying the population of true effects in a random-effects model, even though the available evidence suggests that this assumption is often not met. This paper examines how 21 frequentist and 24 Bayesian methods, including several novel procedures, for computing a point estimate of the heterogeneity parameter ($${\tau }^{2}$$

τ

2

) perform when the distribution of random effects departs from normality compared to normal scenarios in meta-analysis of standardized mean differences.

Methods

A Monte Carlo simulation was carried out using the R software, generating data for meta-analyses using the standardized mean difference. The simulation factors were the number and average sample size of primary studies, the amount of heterogeneity, as well as the shape of the random-effects distribution. The point estimators were compared in terms of absolute bias and variance, although results regarding mean squared error were also discussed.

Results

Although not all the estimators were affected to the same extent, there was a general tendency to obtain lower and more variable $${\tau }^{2}$$

τ

2

estimates as the random-effects distribution departed from normality. However, the estimators ranking in terms of their absolute bias and variance did not change: Those estimators that obtained lower bias also showed greater variance. Finally, a large number and sample size of primary studies acted as a bias-protective factor against a lack of normality for several procedures, whereas only a high number of studies was a variance-protective factor for most of the estimators analyzed.

Conclusions

Although the estimation and inference of the combined effect have proven to be sufficiently robust, our work highlights the role that the deviation from normality may be playing in the meta-analytic conclusions from the simulation results and the numerical examples included in this work. With the aim to exercise caution in the interpretation of the results obtained from random-effects models, the tau2() R function is made available for obtaining the range of $${\tau }^{2}$$

τ

2

values computed from the 45 estimators analyzed in this work, as well as to assess how the pooled effect, its confidence and prediction intervals vary according to the estimator chosen.
A case report on recurrent alternating Tolosa-Hunt syndrome due to bacterial sphenoid sinusitis: rediscussing the diagnostic terminology and classification
Authors: He Wei , Zhu Yinglin , Zhang Yinan , Dong Liang , Zhou Zefang , Zhou Jiying
Published: January 2023

Background

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) is characterized by painful ophthalmoplegia caused by idiopathic granulomatous inflammation involving the cavernous sinus region. Patients respond well to steroid therapy. THS is included in the differential diagnosis of cavernous sinus syndrome, so it is important to fully exclude other lesions in this area before treatment, otherwise steroid treatment may lead to fatal outcomes. Here we describe a patient who initially presented with symptoms that simulated THS symptoms and developed recurrent alternating painful ophthalmoplegia during follow-up, and the patient was finally diagnosed with cavernous sinusitis caused by bacterial sphenoid sinusitis.

Case presentation

A 34-year-old woman presented with left painful ophthalmoplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal signals in the left cavernous sinus area, and these abnormal signals were suspected to be THS. After steroid treatment, the patient obtained pain relief and had complete recovery of her ophthalmoplegia. However, right painful ophthalmoplegia appeared during the follow-up period. MRI showed obvious inflammatory signals in the right cavernous sinus and right sphenoid sinus. Then nasal sinus puncture and aspiration culture were performed, and the results showed a coagulase-negative staphylococcus infection. After antibiotic treatment with vancomycin, the painful ophthalmoplegia completely resolved, and the neurological examination and MRI returned to normal.

Conclusion

Some other causes of painful ophthalmoplegia also fulfill the diagnostic criteria for THS in the International Classification of Headache Disorders third edition (ICHD-3) and respond well to steroid therapy. Early diagnosis of THS may be harmful to patients, and clinicians should exercise great caution when dealing with similar cases without a biopsy. Using “cavernous sinus syndrome” instead of “Tolosa-Hunt syndrome” as a diagnostic category may provide a better clinical thinking for etiological diagnosis.
Maternal Interleukin-17 and disease activity influence pregnancy outcomes in women with psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Girbash Ehab F. , Abdelwahab Shaimaa M. , Atef Rehab M. , Sherif Hala E. , Abdeldayem Hussein M. , Atta Doaa S. , Radwan Ahmed M.
Published: January 2023

Objective

We aimed in this study to evaluate the impact of maternal interleukin -17A and the activity of the illness on pregnancy outcomes in Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Methods

This prospective cohort research was carried out on 48 Psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis pregnant women attending the inpatient and outpatient clinics of the Rheumatology & Rehabilitation and Obstetrics & Gynecology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals in Egypt and 30 apparently healthy age- and sex-matched pregnant women between January 1,2018, and December 31, 2019.

Results

The study group patients had a higher risk of preterm labour (32–36 weeks gestation) (aRR 1.80, 95% CI 0.79–4.17), oligohydramnios (aRR 3.15, 95% CI 1.26–8.42), Caesarean delivery (aRR 1.57, 95% CI 1.41–2.68), and delivering infants small for gestational age (aRR 7.04, 95% CI 2.36–12.42). There was significant difference between the control group and the study groups regarding the level of IL-17A.

Conclusion

Many females with PsA and AS have uninhibited pregnancy with regard to adverse events, but in comparison with normal pregnancies particularly with high IL-17A during the third trimester we noticed a growing risk of preterm labour, oligohydramnios and cesarean section. Further studies are needed to evaluate high maternal IL-17A levels and fetal outcomes.
Saroglitazar suppresses the hepatocellular carcinoma induced by intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine in C57BL/6 mice fed on choline deficient, l-amino acid- defined, high-fat diet
Authors: Giri Suresh R. , Bhoi Bibhuti , Trivedi Chitrang , Rath Akshyaya , Rathod Rohan , Sharma Anish , Ranvir Ramchandra , Kadam Shekhar , Ingale Kailash , Patel Hiren , Nyska Abraham , Jain Mukul R.
Published: January 2023

Background

Saroglitazar is a novel PPAR-α/γ agonist with predominant PPAR-α activity. In various preclinical models, saroglitazar has been shown to prevent & reverse symptoms of NASH. In view of these observations, and the fact that NASH is a progressive disease leading to HCC, we hypothesized that saroglitazar may prevent the development of HCC in rodents.

Methods

HCC was induced in C57BL/6 mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at the age of 4 weeks and then feeding the animal a choline-deficient, L-amino acid- defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) for the entire study duration. Eight weeks after initiation of CDAHFD, saroglitazar (1 and 3 mg/kg) treatment was started and continued for another 27 weeks.

Results

Saroglitazar treatment significantly reduced the liver injury markers (serum ALT and AST), reversed hepatic steatosis and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α in liver. It also resulted in a marked increase in serum adiponectin and osteopontin levels. All disease control animals showed hepatic tumors, which was absent in saroglitazar (3 mg/kg)- treatment group indicating 100% prevention of hepatic tumorigenesis. This is the first study demonstrating a potent PPARα agonist causing suppression of liver tumors in rodents, perhaps due to a strong anti-NASH activity of Saroglitazar that overrides its rodent-specific peroxisome proliferation activity.

Conclusion

The data reveals potential of saroglitazar for chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with NAFLD/NASH.
Thicknesses of the retina and choroid in children with retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Li Cheng , Peng Chunxia , Zhang Chengyue , Li Ningdong
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To compare the retinal thicknesses (RT) and choroidal thicknesses (CT) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) children with those of healthy children using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT). The RT and CT in different genetic subgroups of autosomal dominant RP (ADRP) and X-linked inheritance RP (XLRP) were further studied to investigate the characteristics of retinal and choroidal changes in the early stages of RP.

Method

A retrospective analysis was performed on a group of patients with RP who underwent EDI-OCT. Thirty-two children (64 eyes) with RP and 28 age- and refraction-matched healthy children (56 eyes) were included in the study. Seven of the 32 RP children (14 eyes) had X-linked inheritance RP, and 10 (20 eyes) had autosomal dominant inheritance RP. RT and CT were measured by optical coherence tomography and compared between the 32 children with RP and 28 controls and between 7 XLRP and 10 ADRP children.

Result

Among the 32 children with RP, there were 18 males and 14 females with an average age of 6.6 ± 2.4 years. The mean RT was smaller in the RP group than in the control group at all of the locations. The mean temporal CT was smaller in the RP group (243.76 ± 60.82 μm) than in the control group (275.23 ± 40.92 μm) (P = 0.001), while there was no significant thinning on the foveal or nasal side.

The best-corrected visual acuity of the XLRP group (0.40 ± 0.19) was worse than that of the ADRP group (0.68 ± 0.21) (P = 0.001), but the disease duration was the same (P = 0.685). The mean foveal RT was smaller in the XLRP group (173.85 ± 22.87 μm) than in the ADRP group (192.20 ± 9.70 μm) (P = 0.003), while there was no significant thinning at the other locations we studied. The mean temporal CT was smaller in the XLRP group (211.21 ± 69.41 μm) than in the ADRP group (274.45 ± 57.91 μm) (P = 0.007); CT measurements in XLRP children showed a more severe reduction on the temporal side.

Conclusion

The choroid in RP children was preferentially smaller on the temporal side of the macula, and retinal thinning was relatively extensive. Children with RP have strong clinical and genetic heterogeneity. The XLRP children demonstrated greater RT reduction at the fovea and greater CT reduction at the temporal side of the macula than the ADRP children. Our findings also provide evidence that the changes in thicknesses may be indicative of the greater severity of XLRP versus ADRP in the early stage.
Epidemiology of neonatal mortality: a spatial and multilevel analysis of the 2019 mini-Ethiopian demographic and health survey data
Authors: Gudayu Temesgen Worku
Published: January 2023

Background

Sub-Saharan African countries are a high-burden region of neonatal mortality and showed slow progress in its reduction. In developing countries, as long as the current trend of mortality persists, achieving a sustainable development target for neonatal mortality would be challenging. The aim of this study was to detect significant geographic areas and identify community and individual-level predictors of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia to draw attention to a policy.

Methods

A weighted total sample of 24,136 mothers from the 2019 mini-Ethiopian demographic and health survey data were included in the analysis. Global Moran’s I statistics was run to check the clustering of neonatal mortality and then kriging interpolation was done to predict the magnitude of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. In addition, SaTScan analysis was also executed to identify hot spot clusters of neonatal mortality. Finally, a multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model was used to identify community and individual-level predictors of early neonatal and neonatal mortality.

Results

The lifetime early neonatal and neonatal mortality among mothers in Ethiopia was 5.08 (95% CI: 4.13–6.03) and 6.54 (5.55, 7.52) per 1000 births respectively. Neonatal mortality was spatially clustered in the country and the SaTScan analysis identified significant hotspot areas of neonatal mortality in the Amhara and Afar regions and some areas of the Somali and Oromia regions. Its predicted magnitude was > 8 per 1000 births in wide areas of the Amhara and Benishangul regions. A multilevel mixed-effect logistics regression analysis identified that a lower level of maternal education, being a twin neonate, and being a male neonate were predictors of both early neonatal and neonatal mortality. Whereas, the younger age of mothers predicted neonatal mortality.

Conclusions

Neonatal mortality in Ethiopia is geographically clustered and sociodemographic and obstetric factors played a significant role. Policy direction should focus on evidence-based practices like midwives-led community and facility-based continuum of care from preconception to postnatal periods to possibly reduce neonatal mortality.
Association between age and loneliness in different residential type and gender groups: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Yang , Jiang Weikang , Wu Lei
Published: January 2023

Background

Age has been identified as a prominent predictor of loneliness, although the findings about the relationship between age and loneliness are inconclusive. This study examines the relationship between age and loneliness in the context of China, with a focus on residential and gender differences.

Methods

Data were from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) of 2017. A total of 3899 respondents were included. Loneliness was measured using a three-item Short Loneliness Scale. Age, squared terms of age, residential type, gender, and other socio-demographic characteristics were included in the study. Regression analyses were conducted among the total sample and subgroups of different gender and residential type subgroups, to investigate the association between age and loneliness.

Results

There is a reverse U-shaped tendency between age and loneliness that peaks at the age of 47. This tendency is true of the male subgroup, that peaks at the age of 55, while the female respondents do not share that tendency. The inverted U-shaped distribution holds true for urban but not for rural residents. The female respondents reported a higher level of loneliness than the male. The rural respondents reported higher loneliness than their counterparts.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that an inverted U-shaped tendency between age and loneliness existed for the entire group, and the male and urban subgroups. Implications for service and practice are proposed based on the empirical findings.
Payment systems for dialysis and their effects: a scoping review
Authors: Emrani Zahra , Amiresmaili Mohammadreza , Daroudi Rajabali , Najafi Mohammad Taghi , Akbari Sari Ali
Published: January 2023

Background

End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major health concern and a large drain on healthcare resources. A wide range of payment methods are used for management of ESRD. The main aim of this study is to identify current payment methods for dialysis and their effects.

Method

In this scoping review Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched from 2000 until 2021 using appropriate search strategies. Retrieved articles were screened according to predefined inclusion criteria. Data about the study characteristics and study results were extracted by a pre-structured data extraction form; and were analyzed by a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Fifty-nine articles were included, the majority of them were published after 2011 (66%); all of them were from high and upper middle-income countries, especially USA (64% of papers). Fee for services, global budget, capitation (bundled) payments, and pay for performance (P4P) were the main reimbursement methods for dialysis centers; and FFS, salary, and capitation were the main methods to reimburse the nephrologists. Countries have usually used a combination of methods depending on their situations; and their methods have been further developed over time specially from the retrospective payment systems (RPS) towards the prospective payment systems (PPS) and pay for performance methods. The main effects of the RPS were undertreatment of unpaid and inexpensive services, and over treatment of payable services. The main effects of the PPS were cost saving, shifting the service cost outside the bundle, change in quality of care, risk of provider, and modality choice.

Conclusion

This study provides useful insights about the current payment systems for dialysis and the effects of each payment system; that might be helpful for improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare.