bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is adjuvant chemotherapy necessary for rectal cancer patients staged at ypT3-4N0?
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhan Qingzhen , Lai Cheng , Pan Xinying , Zhong Xiaohong , Shao Lingdong , Wu Junxin
Published: February 2023

Purpose: There is substantial evidence evaluating the clinical efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for rectal cancer patients staged at ypN+ and ypT0-2N0, but few studies focus on those staged at ypT3-4N0.
Methods: Data were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from January 2011 to December 2015. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (sIPTW) was adopted to balance the baseline clinicopathological characteristics of ypT3-4N0 patients receiving AC or not. A risk score was established to predict the prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and identify who would be the beneficiary of AC.
Results: A total of 920 patients staged at ypT3-4N0 were eligible, including 311 patients (33.8%) receiving AC. No significant difference was observed in OS between patients receiving AC or not before and after sIPTW (both P>0.05). The current risk score exhibited better discrimination power and overall net benefit than the 8th AJCC staging system, as well as improved prediction power. Based on the risk score, patients were divided into high- and low-risk subgroups, and only the high-risk subgroup was found to benefit from AC (P<0.05). Lastly, the risk score was validated by 100 consecutive patients from Fujian Cancer Hospital, and the advantage of AC was also confirmed in the high-risk subgroup.
Conclusion: In this study, we proposed a risk-adapted and readily accessible risk score to guide the management of AC in ypT3-4N0 patients. According to the risk score, high-risk patients should be routinely recommended AC.
Denosumab vs placebo efficacy in bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, and function in osteopenic patients with lumbar degenerative diseases after lumbar fusion surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Hongyu , Xiao Xiao , Wang Song , Xie Yongheng , Zhang Xin , Chen Gaoyang , Liu Chungeng , Zhu Yong , Yang Yuling , Xiao Guozhi , Yang Dazhi , Peng Songlin
Published: February 2023

Objective: Denosumab has been shown to be effective in increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. However, the effect of denosumab on BMD, bone turnover markers (BTMs), and quality of life in osteopenic patients after spinal fusion remains unknown.
Methods: We performed a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in osteopenic patients with lumbar degenerative diseases. All participants underwent lumbar fusion, received calcium (1200 mg/day) and vitamin D (800 IU/day) supplementation, and were randomized to receive subcutaneous injection of 60 mg denosumab or placebo every 6 months post-surgery. Patients were followed for up to 12 months post-operation.
Results: We found that denosumab significantly improved percentage BMD of lumbar spine by 5.35% vs -0.45%, total hip by 3.68% vs -0.72%, and femoral neck by 3.41% vs -0.69% compared with placebo, at 12-month timepoint (p<0.05). Denosumab significantly decreased percentage change of amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen P1NP and β-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen CTX compared with placebo in osteopenic patients after lumbar fusion at the 12-month follow-up (p<0.05). Denosumab improved the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) back scores, though no significant difference in VAS leg score, the EuroQol Five-Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire, the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis-31 (QUALEFFO-31), and the Roland-Morris Disability Functioning Questionnaire (RMDQ) compared with the placebo group at the 12-month follow-up. Lastly, no significant difference was observed for the rate of new fractures, re-operation, complications, and adverse events between denosumab and placebo groups at the 12-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Ultimately, our data demonstrate that denosumab is effective in increasing BMD of lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck, suppression of BTMs and maintaining functional status in osteopenic patients after lumbar fusion surgery.
Deployable and Weighted Ensemble- Based Deep Learning Model for Alzheimer’s Disease Detection
Authors: Nagarajan Vishal , Venkataramana Lokeswari , D Venkatavara Prasad , Narasimhan Veeraraghavan , Santhanakrishnan Sundeep
Published: February 2023

Background: Deep Learning is a subset of Artificial In- telligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) which can understand and learn hidden features in images and make better predictions. Healthcare field is increasingly seeing automated AI involvement in making disease predictions by providing sufficient labeled data. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline.
Objective: Currently, most Deep Learning models for Alzheimer’s Dis- ease prediction uses cloud server architecture which increases the infer- ence time manifold and opens up the risk of data breach as personal data of subjects are sent to the cloud for computation. This work aims to de- tect Alzheimer’s Disease and deploy it on a scalable edge-device such as Raspberry Pi.
Methods: A weighted ensemble network is proposed to serve the pur- pose. This method includes individual models such as AlexNet, DenseNet- 121, and InceptionV3. The ensemble network is build atop these networks and selects the best performing model for a given input image.
Results: The accuracy and sensitivity obtained using the proposed weighted ensemble network is 98.44% and 98.44% respectively. The inference time
of classifying an input recorded on Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is 1.97 sec- onds. The weighted ensemble network produced 5% and 19% improve- ment in accuracy and 6.5% increase in sensitivity when comparing with related research work in the domain.
Conclusion: From this work, it can be seen that there is a large poten- tial to make Alzheimer’s Disease Detection scalable on edge-devices and making it real-time.
Besides TLR2 and TLR4, NLRP3 is also involved in regulating Escherichia coli infection-induced inflammatory responses in mice
Authors: Shen Yuan , Gong Zhiguo , Zhang Shuangyi , Cao Jinshan , Mao Wei , Yao Yuan , Li Qianru , Liu Kun , Liu Bo , Feng Shuang
Published: February 2023

The host TLR2 and TLR4 play critical roles in defense against Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection. The NLRP3 inflammasome is the most thoroughly characterized and responds to numerous physically and chemically diverse stimuli. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of TLR2, TLR4 and NLRP3 in the host inflammatory response to E. coli infection remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the roles of TLR2, TLR4 and NLRP3 in regulating the inflammatory response in E. coli infection-induced mice. Our result indicated that macrophages from NLRP3-deficient mice showed significantly reduced secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), braun lipoprotein (BLP), or WT E. coli compared with macrophages from wild-type mice. In addition, TNF-α and IL-1β production in mouse serum after stimulation agreed with the macrophage data. Liver damage in TLR2-deficient, TLR4-deficient, and NLRP3-deficient mice significantly decreased compared to wild-type mice after stimulation with LPS, BLP, or WT E. coli. These results indicate that besides TLR2 and TLR4, NLRP3 is also plays a critical role in host inflammatory responses to defense against E. coli infection, and might provide a therapeutic target in combating disease with bacterium infection.
Effect of improved right subclavian vein catheterization on the direction of catheter tip in children
Authors: Wang Xueqing , Chen Yuanzhen , Zhao Jing , Xing Dajun , Xu Liang , Xu Bo
Published: February 2023

Background. Catheter tip malposition frequently occurs with subclavian vein catheterization.The supine position returns more and faster blood to the heart than the head down position.It is assumed that the soft catheter is easy to follow the flow forward. This study investigates the influence of catheter flexibility and position on right subclavian catheter placement.
Methods. Patients who required subclavian venipuncture catheterization at the Department of Hematology and oncology, Shenzhen Children's hospital were randomly divided into two groups: test group A (80 patients) vs control group B (81 patients).Group A was in the flat position, and the guide wire was partially retracted during catheter placement.Group B used the traditional method of catheterization.Intraoperative ultrasound was used to check the direction of the catheter tip and postoperative chest X-ray was performed.
Results. The correct rate of catheter tip orientation at the first insertion in group A was higher than that in group B (86.2% vs 66.7%, P < 0.05), and the rate of catheter misplacement in right internal jugular vein in group A was lower than that in group B (10.0% vs 29.6%, P < 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative arrhythmia in group A was lower than that in group B (0.0% vs 14.8%, P < 0.05).No significant differences in general data and other complications between them. Repeated catheterization failed in 5 patients,and other methods were used for catheterization.
Conclusions. The use of the guide wire in the supine position can reduce catheter malposition in children with right subclavian vein catheterization.
Effect of oral 17β-estradiol on zootechnical performance, sex ratio and first maturation of mullet Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836
Authors: Rocha V. M. da , Silva C. S. , Pilotto M. R. , Magnotti C. C. F. , Martins M. L. , Cerqueira V. R.
Published: February 2023

The Mugil liza mullet is a pelagic fish, widely distributed on the Atlantic coast of South America. Its female gonads have high value and market demand, which makes the female monosexual breeding desirable. The objective of this work was to use the hormone 17β-estradiol orally in juveniles to increase the proportion of females, evaluating the zootechnical performance and the first sexual maturation. There were five treatments: 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mg of 17β-estradiol per kg of diet and a control without hormone use for 60 days. Each experimental unit was stocked with 150 fish, weighing 0.15 ± 0.7 g and measuring 2.1 ± 0.5 cm. The first sexual maturation was observed at the end of the second year of life. Male (94.64%), female (1.78%) and intersexual or ovotestis (3.57%) gonads were identified. In the majority (96.22%) of the male gonads of the fish that received the hormone, there was a change in morphology, mainly in the treatments that received higher doses. Hormonal treatments affected the gonads, but there was no sexual inversion. As the species presents sexual differentiation several months after fertilization, other tests must be performed, changing the initial size of individuals and the duration of treatment. The higher frequency of males indicates that, in addition to genetic factors, environmental factors may be acting on sex determination mechanisms.
Exploratory Data Analysis of Earthquake Moment Tensor Catalog using Non-linear Graph-based Dimensionality Reduction
Authors: Kubo Hisahiko , Kimura Takeshi , Shiomi Katsuhiko
Published: February 2023

The information on spatial location, origin time and fault mechanism type of earthquakes is contained in moment tensor solutions, which are routinely estimated. The catalog of moment tensor solutions has been interpreted by researchers based on a wealth of past knowledge; however, the long-term routine analyses have led to the accumulation of a huge amount of data in moment tensor catalog, and it is necessary to move away from the artisanal approach. In this study, using dimensionality reduction of unsupervised machine learning, we performed exploratory data analysis of the moment tensor catalog to objectively obtain images of seismic activity and to acquire knowledge on the spatial and temporal characteristics of the earthquake mechanism. Source parameters of the moment tensor catalog in Japan, spatial location (latitude, longitude, and depth) and source-mechanism diagram information, were embedded in two-dimensional space via a non-linear graph-based dimensionality-reduction method, Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection. On the embedding map, earthquakes in eastern and western Japan are distributed separately and are further embedded to reflect their characteristic fault mechanism and depth in each region. The similarity degree of the earthquakes can be obtained as the distance on the embedding map. This study demonstrates that the data visualization using dimensionality reduction is useful for intuitively and objectively understanding the regional characteristics of earthquake mechanisms. The embedding map can also be employed to visualize temporal changes in regional seismic activity, and to perform a similarity search with a past event.
Children’s linear growth and mother’s education in India: Do the pathways have a role to play?
Authors: Balasubramaniam Divya
Published: February 2023

Existing literature provides inconclusive evidence on the direct causal effects of mothers’ educational attainment in improving children’s health outcomes. However, several studies identify mechanisms such as information processing, health knowledge, bargaining power, and wealth effects by which a mother’s education can influence children’s health outcomes. This paper examines the impact of mothers’ health knowledge, bargaining power, and household wealth in determining the children’s linear growth in India using the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-3) 2005-06 household-level survey data. By employing instrumental variables (IV) and smoothed instrumental variables quantile regressions approach (SIVQR), the paper finds evidence that a mother’s health knowledge, bargaining power, and household wealth are plausible pathways by which a mother’s education influences children’s height-for-age (HAZ) outcomes in India. Specifically, the SIVQR results indicate that health knowledge strongly influences health outcomes, with the magnitude of the effects being positive and significant in the lowest and the highest quintiles. On the other hand, the results show a negative and significant impact on the bargaining power index in the upper quintile of the HAZ nutritional distribution. One plausible explanation for this result is that children in the upper quintiles are the healthiest; therefore, empowered mothers who experience a ‘power imbalance’ may negatively influence a child’s health. Furthermore, there is evidence of household wealth's distributional impact on children’s height increases across the HAZ nutritional distribution.JEL Classification:O1, O5, H4, I1
Investigational medications in 9,638 hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19: lessons from the “fail-and-learn” strategy during the first two waves of the pandemic in 2020
Authors: Delgado Adam C. , Cornett Brendon , Choi Ye Ji , Colosimo Christina , Stahel Vincent P. , Dziadkowiec Oliwier , Stahel Philip F.
Published: February 2023

Background:
The early surge of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic introduced a significant clinical challenge due to the high case-fatality rate in absence of evidence-based treatment recommendations. The empirical modalities were relegated to historical expertise from the traditional management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in conjunction with off-label pharmaceutical agents endorsed under the “emergency use authorization” paradigm by regulatory agencies. This study was designed to evaluate the insights from the “fail-and-learn” strategy in 2020 before the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and access to reliable insights from high-quality randomized controlled trials.
Methods:
A retrospective, multicenter, propensity-matched, case-control study was performed on a data registry comprising 186 hospitals from a national health care system in the United States, designed to investigate the efficacy of empirical treatment modalities during the early surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Reflective of the time-windows of the initial two surges of the pandemic in 2020, patients were stratified into “early” (March 1–June 30) versus “late” (July 1–December 31) study cohorts. Logistic regression was applied to determine the efficacy of prevalent medications (remdesivir, azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, tocilizumab) and supplemental oxygen delivery modalities (invasive vs. non-invasive ventilation) on patient outcomes. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Group comparisons were adjusted for covariates related to age, gender, ethnicity, body weight, comorbidities, and treatment modalities pertinent to organ failure replacement.
Results:
From a total of 87,788 patients in the multicenter data registry screened in this study, 9,638 patients were included who received 19,763 COVID-19 medications during the first two waves of the 2020 pandemic.The results showed inconclusive variable results pertinent to the impact of empirical medications on patient outcomes. In contrast, the necessity for oxygen supply showed significantly increased odds of mortality beyond the effect of the investigational medications. Of all the covariates associated with increased mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation had the highest odds ratios of 8.34 in the first surge and 9.46 in in the second surge of the pandemic (P<0.01).
Conclusion:
This retrospective multicenter observational cohort study on 9,638 hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 during revealed that the necessity for invasive ventilation had the highest odds of mortality, beyond the variable effects observed by administration of the prevalent EUA-approved investigational drugs during the first two surges of the early 2020 pandemic in the United States.
Vaginal temperature and collar activity variations in relation to fecal progestagens of captive moose
Authors: Høy-Petersen Jennifer , Lemière Lucie , Thompson Dan P. , Thiel Alexandra , Crouse John A. , Ropstad Erik , Græsli Anne Randi , Arnemo Jon M. , Evans Alina L.
Published: February 2023

Background

Timing of reproductive events can be crucial for a species’ population growth and stability. Accurate detection of reproductive phenology presents a challenge to scientists studying wild species, including moose (Alces alces). Currently, there are several established methods for monitoring reproductive activity and events in domestic ruminants, including the use of biologging devices. The main objective of this study was to determine whether female moose display a distinct thermal and activity pattern associated with luteal activity during the estrous cycle, which could be used to determine the onset of their breeding season. We deployed biologging devices and collected fecal samples from 12 captive female moose on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, USA to explore variation in vaginal temperature and collar activity and the relationship between these variables and fecal progestagen concentrations. Fecal samples were collected from mid-August to mid-October and analyzed using radioimmunoassay to determine the concentration of fecal progestagens to classify luteal activity.

Results

Captive female moose displayed an identifiable thermal pattern during the onset of luteal activity from mid-September to mid-October, associated with the initial estrous cycle of their breeding season. In contrast, we did not observe a distinct pattern in activity during this period. Recurring patterns in both vaginal temperature and activity were identified between mid-October and mid-November, however, which were likely associated with subsequent estrous cycles but not included in our fecal sampling period.

Conclusions

This study supports that female moose display an identifiable pattern in vaginal temperature which is associated with luteal activity of the initial estrous cycle of the breeding season. A clear, identifiable pattern was observed for both vaginal temperature and activity registrations at the presumed timing of subsequent estrous cycle of the breeding season.
Principle and application of high pressure hydraulic slotting pressure relief and energy release in deep roadway
Authors: Ning Jianguo , Yang Shang , Li Xuehui , Wang Jun , Shi Xinshuai , Zhang Zhaohui
Published: February 2023

The essence of deep roadway dynamic disaster lies in the sudden release of surrounding rock elastic energy. High-pressure hydraulic slotting (HPHS) has become a new method for pressure relief and energy release of roadway surrounding rock. In view of the lack of qualitative description of the response relationship between parameters of HPHS and pressure relief and energy release degree of roadway surrounding rock. In this paper, theoretical analyses, numerical simulations, on-site industrial practice, and other methods are comprehensively used to carry out relevant research work. First, the structure model of pressure relief and energy release of coal by HPHS in the deep roadway was established, the principle of pressure relief and energy release by HPHS was revealed, and the principles and methods for determining the pressure relief parameters such as the range of slot, the spacing of the slot hole, and the spacing of slot were proposed. Three evaluation indexes of pressure relief and energy release effect of coal after HPHS were proposed, namely, stress ratio of coal, elastic energy density ratio of coal, and displacement rate of the roadway rib. According to the evaluation indexes, the degree of pressure relief and energy release was divided into three levels: reverse pressurization, full pressure relief, and transitional pressure relief. Then, the FLAC3D numerical model was constructed, the level of pressure relief and energy release under different HPHS parameters was analyzed, and the optimal slotting parameters were determined. Finally, the on-site industrial practice was carried out in the 7312 working face of Xinhe Coal Mine. The effect test shows that the effect of pressure relief and energy release was remarkable after HPHS was adopted on the roadway surrounding rock, which can effectively reduce the risk of rock bursts. The research results can further improve HPHS technology systems, and provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the stability control of deep roadway surrounding rock.
Acute effect of Prone Trunk-Extension on the biomechanical properties of lumbar and dorsal lower limb muscles
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Chen Mengtong , He Yanan , Li Yuanchao , Yu Suiqing , Liang Hongying , Yin Junxiao , Sun Pengtao , Zhang Zhijie , Liu Chunlong
Published: February 2023

Background: Fascia attaches to and wraps around muscles throughout the body to expand the range of action and redistribute force transmission. However, specific data on the myofascial tensegrity network of the lumbar and lower limbs are lacking.
Objective: This study investigated the effect of the prone trunk extension test (PTE) on muscle stiffness in the lower limbs, explored the optimal angle for lumbar muscle training, and analyzed the mechanical conduction patterns of the lumbar and lower limb muscles in the myofascial tension network.
Design: This was a laboratory-based experimental study.
Method: Twenty healthy young females were recruited for this study, and the stiffness of the erector spinae (ES), semitendinosus (ST), biceps femoris (BF), the medial head of the gastrocnemius (MG), and lateral head of the gastrocnemius (LG) was measured by MyotonPRO under four angular PTE conditions (0° horizontal position, 10°, 20°, and 30°).
Results: With the increasing angle, the stiffness of ES decreased gradually, while ST and BF increased first and then decreased. The stiffness of MG and LG increased first and then decreased and then increased. There was a negative correlation between ES stiffness variation and ST (r=-0.819 to -0.728, p<0.001), BF (r=-0.620 to -0.527, p<0.05), MG (r=-788 to -0.611, p<0.01), and LG (r=-0.616 to -0.450, p<0.05).
Conclusions: Horizontal PTE maximizes activation of ES. There is a tension transfer between ES, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius, mainly between ST and LG. The study provides data to explore the myofascial tensegrity network between the lumbar and lower limb muscles.
Detection of Image Tampering Using Deep Learning, Error Levels & Noise Residuals
Authors: Chakraborty Sunen , Chatterjee Kingshuk , Dey Paramita
Published: February 2023

Images once were considered as a reliable source of information. However, when photo-editing software started to get noticed it gave rise to illegal activities that is called image tampering. These days we can came across innumerable tampered images across the internet. Software such as Photoshop, GNU Image Manipulation Program, etc. are applied to form tampered images from real ones in just a few minutes. When it comes to discover hidden signs of tampering in an image deep learning models are far more effective than any other methods. Models used in deep learning are capable of extracting intricate features from an image automatically. To differentiate between authentic and tampered images we presented a dual-branch Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) in conjunction with Error Level Analysis (ELA) and noise residuals from Spatial Rich Model (SRM). For our experiment we utilized the freely accessible CASIA dataset. After training the dual-branch network for 16 epochs, it generated an accuracy of 98.55%. We have also provided a comparative analysis with other previously proposed work in the field of image forgery detection. This experiment is done to prove that deep learning models along with some well known traditional approaches can provide better results for detecting tampered images.
Exploring the Binding Mechanism of Novel T. Brucei Leucine tRNA Synthase Inhibitors Based on QSAR Modeling, Molecular Docking, ADMET Prediction and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Zhang Xing , Wang Chao , Tong Jianbo
Published: February 2023

Leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) has received increasing attention as a promising target for the treatment of African Trypanosomiasis. A series of new core structures containing benzoxaborole, in which boric acid is embedded in a five-membered ring, have been reported recently with potent antitrypanosomiasis activity. In this study, 47 human Trypanosoma brucei leucine tRNA synthetase inhibitors (TbLeuRS) were modeled by three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR, Topomer CoMFA) and hologram quantitative structure-activity relationship (HQSAR). The constructed model was combined with calculation, including topomer search, molecular design, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD), free energy calculation and ADME/T prediction study, to clarify the binding mechanism and pharmacological action of inhibitors, and to design new antitrypanosomiasis drugs. The results show that the constructed QSAR model has good predictive ability (Topomer CoMFA: =q2=0.563, r2=0.906, HQSAR:q2=0.723, and r2=0.946). The skeleton of the template molecule was retained, and 70 small molecular compounds with novel structures were obtained after fragment replacement of the two groups. Ten inhibitors were obtained from these small molecule compounds after ADMET prediction, activity value prediction and ‘rule of five’ screening. Then molecular docking was performed, and four hit compounds (T10, T13, T32 and T61) were finally screened according to the score function. The docking results indicate that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions play an important role in improving the binding affinity of the inhibitor to hot residues around the binding pocket. Finally, the inhibitor was also found to be relatively stable in the binding pocket by MD simulations. This study is expected to provide new ideas for the further rational design of the activity prediction, molecular design and modification of novel and highly effective antitrypanosome drugs targeting LeuRS.
Surface roughness induced stress concentration
Authors: Persson B. N.J.
Published: February 2023

When a body is exposed to external forces large local stresses may occur at the surface because of surface roughness. Surface stress concentration is important for many application and in particular for fatigue due to pulsating external forces. For randomly rough surfaces I calculate the probability distribution of surface stress in response to a uniform external tensile stress. I present numerical simulation results for the stress distribution σ(x, y) and show that in a typical case the maximum local tensile stress may be ∼ 10 times bigger than the applied stress. I discuss the role of the stress concentration on plastic deformation and surface crack generation and propagation.
Theoretical study on fracture mechanism of rock bridge considering crack plastic propagation
Authors: Zhou Cong , Gao Wei , Chen Xin
Published: February 2023

The research on the fracture mechanism of rock bridge is helpful to better understanding the failure process of rocks. In this paper, in order to study the influence of wing crack propagation on the stability of rock bridges, a new maximum plastic zone size fracture criterion is established according to the extension of plastic zone accompanied by crack propagation. Based on the new crack fracture criterion, a corresponding critical judgment condition is proposed considering the influence of multi-crack interaction on the wing crack propagation. Then, the fracture mechanism of rock bridges from the perspective of plastic zone extension was explored based on three different crack distribution models (cracks of equal length in parallel). It was found that the fracture mode of the rock bridge is deeply influenced by the dip angle of the rock bridge in the case where the rock bridge is of equal length to the pre-existing crack. The contact speed and contact mode of plastic zone varies for different dip angles of the rock bridge, but all the contact of plastic zone will eventually cause plastic yielding in the rock bridge zone. And then, the secondary cracks always start to propagate in the range of the plastic zone formed by the wing cracks, and eventually the rock bridge forms a macroscopic fracture damage due to the propagation of the secondary cracks.
Corrosion behaviour of microstructurally modified elastic rail clip steel under crevice and aggressive salt fog exposure
Authors: . Neetu , Sangal S. , Mondal K.
Published: February 2023

In the present work, existing Indian elastic rail clip steel (tempered martensite) is microstructurally modified to bainite using austempering route. Crevice corrosion of elastic rail clip (ERC) is of major concern as metal dissolution can cause the loosening of the rail clip assembly (such as rail clip‒insert and rail clip‒liner) and lack of performance. Furthermore, the surface of rail clip exposed to the atmosphere could also be affected by the corrosive environment. The present work concentrates on the findings of crevice corrosion and wet‒dry salt fog exposure of the austempered ERC steels in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 30 days and compared with the as‒received (existing) ERC steel which consists of tempered martensitic structure. The severity of corrosion has been investigated by studying the surface dissolution and the rust formed on the exposed surfaces of the ERC steels after the crevice and salt fog tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical profilometry have been used for the analysis of surface dissolution behaviour. Moreover, the rust formed on the exposed surfaces characterized using SEM shows the presence of various rust phases, such as α‒FeOOH, β‒FeOOH, γ‒FeOOH, α‒Fe2O3, etc. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy has been used for the confirmation and quantification of these rust phases. The higher protective ability index (PAI) calculated from the quantitative assessment of different rust measured from Raman spectroscopy shows the better corrosion resistance of the austempered ERC steels.
Genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene and the risk of Hashimoto's thyroiditis: an Iraqi case-control study
Authors: Majid Wajdy J. , Abulrazzaq Ali B , Al-Koofee Dhafer A.F. , Algenabi A. , Omara Ali M.
Published: February 2023

Background
Recently, the vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms has been linked to various autoimmune diseases. The key aim of this study is to explore the association between VDR gene polymorphisms (rs2228570, rs1544410, rs731236, rs7975232) and the risk of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) among the Iraqi population.
Methods
Peripheral blood samples were used to isolate genomic DNAs from 180 HT patients and 200 healthy controls. Four VDR gene loci were amplified, and the obtained amplicons were then digested using the restriction enzymes FokI, BsmI, TaqI and ApaI. The digested fragments were then electrophoresed on agarose gel (2.5%). HT polymorphisms and estimated haplotypes were computed by odds ratios (ORs).
Results
After stratification by age, gender and body mass index (BMI), univariate logistic regression statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher incidence of FokI (rs2228570) polymorphisms in HT patients compared to healthy controls. In contrast, the incidence of the BsmI (rs1544410) and TaqI (rs731236) polymorphisms were significantly higher in healthy controls than in the HT patient group. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis of pairs of SNPs revealed that the polymorphisms in the VDR gene (rs731236 A/G and rs7975232 G/C) were in strong LD in an HT model (D’= 0.86). Furthermore, AAGC and AAGT haplotype models (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.09 − 2.07; OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06 − 2.45, P = 0.02) were associated with an increased risk of HT, while the AACC haplotype model (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.15–0.90, P = 0.02) exhibited a significantly decreased the risk of developing HT.
Conclusion
Our research supports the association between HT and the FokI polymorphism among the Iraqi population. In addition, the haplotype analysis reveals that the combination of mutant alleles from several VDR gene polymorphisms makes these individuals more susceptible to HT.
Forecasting the High-Frequency Exchange Rate Volatility with Smooth Transition Exponential Smoothing
Authors: Ho Jen Sim , Choo Wei Chong , Zhangyu Ruxian , Yee Choy Leong , Lau Wei Theng
Published: February 2023

Smooth Transition Exponential Smoothing (STES) is a popular exponential smoothing method for volatility forecasting; whereby the success of the STES model lies in the choice of the transition variable. In this paper, three realized variance (RV), daily, weekly and monthly RV were used as the transition variables in STES methods to evaluate the performance of intraday data. While daily squared return is a noisy series, squared residual and daily RV were employed as the proxy for actual volatilities in this study. With five series of exchange rates, a comparative analysis was conducted for Ad Hoc methods, Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (GARCH) models, and STES methods using various RV combinations. The empirical results showed that when daily RV was used as proxy for actual volatility, the traditional STES models and STES models with RV as the transition variables outperformed Ad Hoc methods and GARCH models under the RMSE evaluation criteria. Similar promising results were also observed for traditional STES models and STES models with RV as the transition variables under MAE evaluation. The MCS results generally reaffirmed the results from both the MAE and RMSE evaluation criteria.
How Do Depositors Respond to Bank Dividend Policy? Evidence from Market Discipline, Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tran Dung Viet
Published: February 2023

Our study investigates how depositors respond to the bank dividend policy via the interest rate channel. The results suggests that by paying dividend, banks mitigate the information asymmetry between insiders and outsiders, then enjoying a lower deposit cost than banks that do not pay dividend. Dividend-paying banks that are subject to higher funding costs may enjoy a greater decrease of funding costs than non-payers. Banks that are under greater pressure from regulators, but encounter losses have to pay higher deposit costs when deciding to pay dividend. The study emphasizes the downside of deposit insurance scheme when documenting the indifference of insured but uninsured depositors during the global financial crisis, but the COVID-19 crisis, suggesting the wake-up calls for depositors.
Efektivitas Pertanian Perkotaan (Urban Farming) dalam Mitigasi Urban Heat Island di Kawasan Perkotaan
Authors: Octarino Christian Nindyaputra
Published: February 2023

Title: The Effectiveness of Urban Farming for Urban Heat Island Mitigation in Urban Areas
 
Urban farming and greenery are the emerging idea in maintaining a sustainable environment in term of economic, social, and environmental aspects. The existence of urban farming is primarily aimed to maintaining food security for the community, especially in the pandemic crisis. Moreover, the high rate of urbanization also affects the transformation of urban space, which is one of the factors causing climate change. The integration of vegetation in urban area is considered to be a strategy to maintain the quality of the microclimate and reducing the intensity of the urban heat island. This study aims to observe the effectiveness of urban farming/greenery in maintaining the microclimate quality at District of Tompeyan Yogyakarta, which is well known for their urban farming integrated inside the residential areas. Using field measurement and simulation methods, the results show that the vegetation in the outdoor space have a significant impact, especially related to surface temperature and air temperature. The simulation using ENVI-MET shows that there is an increase in the thermal comfort index in the areas with vegetation, although it has not yet reached the ideal value. This represents how the role of vegetation in urban heat island mitigation to provide a comfortable and sustainable environment. The study can be further developed regarding the impact of other physical elements on microclimate to be the foundation for spatial planning recommendations.
Contrato de encomenda de software e os direitos morais do autor
Authors: Teles Araújo da Silva Bárbara , Pereira Ribeiro Iara
Published: February 2023

O artigo analisa os contratos de encomenda de software a partir de sua natureza jurídica e tratamento legal conferido pela Lei nº 9069/1998 (Lei do Software) para verificar o direito de propriedade intelectual e o direito moral do desenvolvedor (autor) do programa, com o objetivo de identificar por meio do método dialético com base na análise da legislação e de julgados relevantes, aspectos a se observar na realização de contratos de encomenda de software.
O desenvolvimento da criminologia feminista no Brasil
Authors: De Ávila Thiago Pierobom
Published: February 2023

Este artigo tem o objetivo de analisar como a recepção, adaptação e desenvolvimento de estudos de gênero no Brasil e a posterior introdução da Lei Maria da Penha criaram um campo teórico da criminologia feminista com uma perspectiva distinta do Norte Global. Utiliza-se de metodologia de revisão bibliográfica e análise documental de leis e jurisprudência à luz do referencial teórico feminista. Durante a década de 80 do século 20, a literatura brasileira discutiu a violência de gênero segundo três teorias: dominação masculina (Chauí), dominação patriarcal (Saffioti) e violência relacional (Gregori). Teorias sobre o gênero foram introduzidas e desenvolvidas durante a década de 90. Os estudos coloniais ressaltam a profunda intersecção entre gênero e raça, classe social e outros vetores de discriminação, o que aumenta a vulnerabilidade das mulheres integrantes de grupos minoritários, particularmente as mulheres negras e indígenas. O desenvolvimento dos estudos de gênero fortaleceu o advocacy feminista a promover reformas legais, cujo principal referencial é a Lei Maria da Penha, além da criminalização do feminicídio, reformas relacionadas à violência sexual e sobre mulheres em prisão. A criminologia feminista tem criticado o Direito e, ao mesmo tempo, o utilizado para institucionalizar a equidade de gênero. As práticas judiciais indicam a resistência conservadora do campo jurídico à assimilação dos debates de gênero e das teorias críticas feministas como um todo.
Direitos sexuais e reprodutivos e a criminalização do aborto como estratégia do biopoder
Authors: Nielsson Joice , Carrion Letícia Gheller Zanatta
Published: February 2023

Os direitos sexuais e reprodutivos das mulheres suscitam grande debate social e jurídico, sendo inegável a necessidade de ampliar a discussão para avançar na busca da igualdade de gênero. O presente artigo pretende fazer uma análise sobre a temática tratando das construções de gênero e dos direitos humanos, da liberdade reprodutiva da mulher, bem como da biopolítica e do controle exercido sobre o corpo feminino, com ênfase na análise da criminalização do aborto como uma estratégia biopolítica de controle dos corpos femininos.  Para conseguir desenvolver a pesquisa será utilizado o método o dedutivo, com a produção baseada em livros, artigos e legislações sobre o tema, ou seja, uma pesquisa qualitativa.
As fronteiras da interferência judicial no processo arbitral
Authors: Beatris Mariano da Rocha Barcellos Terra Rosane , Streit Carraro Guilherme , Ferreira Maria Paula da Rosa
Published: February 2023

A presente pesquisa visa responder ao dilema de como se conciliam a arbitragem e a jurisdição estatal no contexto brasileiro. Por meio de uma reflexão sobre a arbitragem e as fronteiras que a circundam, impõe-se o questionamento quanto aos limites e possibilidades da interferência judicial no processo arbitral, para tanto, estruturou-se a produção em três tópicos de análise, sendo estes: O controle judicial sobre a jurisdição arbitral; A complementariedade entre as jurisdições arbitrais e estatais; E, as relações entre a arbitragem e o Poder Judiciário. Como método de abordagem, aplicou-se o dedutivo, partindo-se de premissas tidas como verdadeiras para se chegar a uma conclusão lógica. Como método de procedimento, empregou-se o monográfico.  Observou-se como fundamental a busca pelo equilíbrio harmônico entre a garantia da arbitragem com o devido processo legal. Sendo assim, verificou-se que a arbitragem não pode ser avaliada por um viés de absoluta independência do Poder Judiciário, tendo em vista que cabe à jurisdição estatal prestar o devido suporte e assistência ao seu processo.
Electrochemical Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Properties of Silver Nanobranch on Orthodontic Braces
Authors: BAYRAKÇEKEN NİŞANCI Fatma
Published: February 2023

Silver nanodal was synthesized on orthodontic braces using silver nitrate salts as an electrochemical method. The synthesized Ag nanobranch were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Antibacterial microbial performance of Lactobacillus salivarius analyzed with electrochemically synthesized silver nanobranch on orthodontic brackets. The specific antibacterial properties of all the composites showed specific antibacterial effects or antiadherence, independently of the amount of silver nanobranch deposited, likely due to the differences in the bacterial cell wall structures. As a result, the brackets, which are very important for orthodontics, showed a good antibacterial performance with the nanostructures obtained by electrochemically coated with Ag, which is known to have antibacterial properties.
Theoretical and Practical Investigation of Stability Performance for Power Regulation in Hydroelectric Power Plants
Authors: KAHRAMAN Gökhan , IŞIK Erdem
Published: February 2023

Hydroelectric power plants are the insurance of the interconnected system in order to provide fast energy to the system compared to other fossil fueled power plants. Hydroelectric power plants control the balance between the energy it supplies to the interconnected system and the pressurized water it uses with a system based on the fully automatic control principle. The quality of the energy supplied to the interconnected system depends entirely on this automatic control mechanism. In this study, mathematical models of the mechanisms that affect the automatic control system during the generation of energy in hydroelectric power plants are formed. Transfer functions of the obtained mathematical models are calculated by laplace transform. With the calculated transfer functions, the responses of the units of a hydroelectric power plant to the change of the amount of energy produced under different operating conditions are determined. The obtained data are compared with the actual conditions in a 1330 MW hydroelectric power plant with 8 Francis turbines. It is seen that the mathematical model and the turbine responses in real conditions are similar. In the calculations made at 115, 125, 135, 145 m. net head, the best stability conditions were obtained at 135 m. In addition, as a result of the calculations obtained under different operating conditions, ideal operating conditions are determined to minimize the fluctuations in energy production.
Evaluation of an Edibleİinsect (Locusta migratoria) as a Substrate for Microbial β-fructofuranosidase Production
Authors: CANLI TAŞAR Özden , TAŞAR Gani Erhan
Published: February 2023

Rising population in the world causes reduction on present food resources. Investigators have
been looking for sustainable, nutritional and alternative food-stocks. Insects have been consumed
as snacks or as food supplement in many countries, but they are still not attractive food resource
worldwide. In the current study, β-fructofuranosidase enzyme production by Galactomyces
geotrichum TS61 (GenBank accession: MN749818) strain was investigated using an edible
insect (Locusta migratoria) as substrate. β-fructofuranosidase is a valuable enzyme in food
industry. Taguchi L16 design of experiment (DOE) was employed to achieve an effective
statistical optimization process, including three factors (concentration of locust powder,
concentration of sucrose and initial pH) with four levels. The optimized conditions were
determined as 40 g/L locust powder, 30 g/L sucrose and 6.0 pH. The analysis of variance results
showed that locust powder had more effect on the enzyme production than sucrose and pH. At
the end of the optimization process, approximately 4-fold higher β-fructofuranosidase production
(40.91 U/mL) was obtained when compared with unoptimized experimental run (9.91 U/mL).
Consequently, powdered insects may serve as an effective supplement for valuable enzyme
production in food industry.
A pilot study on the dual membrane process of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration to treat algae-laden raw water compared to O3-BAC
Authors: Ding Xingqi , Yu Zhenxun , Chu Huaqiang , Wang Dong , Liu Kunqiao , Wang Buyun , Tong Caihuan , Dong Bingzhi
Published: February 2023

In this study, a dual membrane process that combines seven-hole ultrafiltration and nanofiltration was designed and compared to O3-biological activated carbon (O3-BAC) for high-quality drinking water production. The pollutant removal, membrane fouling, long-term operational characteristics, and technical economy were systematically investigated using raw water from Tai Lake, which has a high algae content. The results elucidate that the dual membrane process has superb decontamination. This method has much better removal of turbidity, CODMn, UV254, and algae than O3-BAC. Its removal of ammonia nitrogen and fluorescent substances is slightly lower than that of O3-BAC, but the effluent still satisfies the drinking water standard. The dual membrane process is also much more capable of dealing with high algae-laden raw water. Compared to O3-BAC, the cost of the dual membrane process is 46.4% higher per ton without consuming chemicals, so it is more environmentally friendly. In summary, the dual membrane process offers a promising and effective technology to treat high algae-laden water with the advantages of high stability, reliable effluent, and zero emissions.