bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and associated factors of diabetes mellitus among patients with tuberculosis in South Korea from 2011 to 2018: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Jeong Dawoon , Mok Jeongha , Jeon Doosoo , Kang Hee-Yeon , Kim Hee Jin , Kim Hee-Sun , Seo Jeong Mi , Choi Hongjo , Kang Young Ae
Published: March 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with tuberculosis (TB) using a nationwide cohort in South Korea.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

This study used the Korean Tuberculosis and Post-Tuberculosis cohort, which was constructed by linking the Korean National Tuberculosis Surveillance, National Health Information Database (NHID) and Statistics Korea data for the causes of death.

Participants

During the study period, all notified patients with TB with at least one claim in the NHID were included. Exclusion criteria were age less than 20 years, drug resistance, initiation of TB treatment before the study period and missing values in covariates.

Outcome measures

DM was defined as having at least two claims of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code for DM or at least one claim of the ICD code for DM and prescription of any antidiabetic drugs. Newly diagnosed DM (nDM) and previously diagnosed DM (pDM) were defined as DM diagnosed after and before TB diagnosis, respectively.

Results

A total of 26.8% (70 119) of patients were diagnosed with DM. The age-standardised prevalence increased as age increased or income decreased. Patients with DM were more likely to be men, older, had the lowest income group, had more acid-fast bacilli smear and culture positivity, had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score and had more comorbidities compared with patients without DM. Approximately 12.5% (8823) patients had nDM and 87.4% (61 296) had pDM among those with TB-DM.

Conclusions

The prevalence of DM among patients with TB was considerably high in Korea. To achieve the goal of TB control and improve the health outcomes of both TB and DM, integrated screening of TB and DM and care delivery in clinical practice are necessary.
The cost burden of hospital-treated tap water scald burns in the United States
Authors: Shields Wendy , Levy Joseph , Chyr Linda , Frattaroli Shannon
Published: March 2023

Objective

We aimed to determine the cost burden and epidemiology of hospital-treated, tap water scald burns in the United States to inform consideration of policy proposals to require thermostatic mixing valves with all new water heaters.

Methods

A retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed using the 2016–2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) from the Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project (HCUP). We queried the samples to examine the prevalence, cost, and epidemiology of hospital-treated, tap water scald burns.

Results

The NIS and NEDS identified 52 088 (weighted) emergency department (ED) visits, 7270 (weighted) hospitalisations and 110 hospital-based deaths attributable to tap water scald burns in 2016–2018. The average cost for each encounter was $572 per ED visit and $28 431 per hospitalisation. In aggregate, the direct healthcare cost of these initial encounters was $206.69 million for inpatient (IP) visits and $29.79 million for ED visits. Medicare paid $109.54 million of these costs and Medicaid paid $18.3 million. Multiple body surfaces were involved in 35.4% of IP visits and 16.1% of ED visits.

Conclusions

NIS and NEDS are valuable tools to examine the cost burden and epidemiology of hospital-treated, tap water scald burns. The high injuries, deaths, and overall cost of these scald burns suggest policy proposals are needed to require the use of thermostatic mixing valves.

The additional detail provided by using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 External Cause of Morbidity Code allows for a better understanding of the size and scope of tap water scald injuries than was possible with ICD-9.
Multimorbidity pattern and risk of dementia in later life: an 11-year follow-up study using a large community cohort and linked electronic health records
Authors: Khondoker Mizanur , Macgregor Alexander , Bachmann Max O , Hornberger Michael , Fox Chris , Shepstone Lee
Published: March 2023

Background

Several long-term chronic illnesses are known to be associated with an increased risk of dementia independently, but little is known how combinations or clusters of potentially interacting chronic conditions may influence the risk of developing dementia.

Methods

447 888 dementia-free participants of the UK Biobank cohort at baseline (2006–2010) were followed-up until 31 May 2020 with a median follow-up duration of 11.3 years to identify incident cases of dementia. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify multimorbidity patterns at baseline and covariate adjusted Cox regression was used to investigate their predictive effects on the risk of developing dementia. Potential effect moderations by C reactive protein (CRP) and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype were assessed via statistical interaction.

Results

LCA identified four multimorbidity clusters representingMental health,Cardiometabolic,Inflammatory/autoimmuneandCancer-related pathophysiology, respectively. Estimated HRs suggest that multimorbidity clusters dominated byMental health(HR=2.12, p<0.001, 95% CI 1.88 to 2.39) andCardiometabolicconditions (2.02, p<0.001, 1.87 to 2.19) have the highest risk of developing dementia. Risk level for theInflammatory/autoimmunecluster was intermediate (1.56, p<0.001, 1.37 to 1.78) and that for theCancercluster was least pronounced (1.36, p<0.001, 1.17 to 1.57). Contrary to expectation, neither CRP nor APOE genotype was found to moderate the effects of multimorbidity clusters on the risk of dementia.

Conclusions

Early identification of older adults at higher risk of accumulating multimorbidity of specific pathophysiology and tailored interventions to prevent or delay the onset of such multimorbidity may help prevention of dementia.
Instabilities and pattern formation in viscoelastic fluids
Authors: Schön Franz-Theo , Bestehorn Michael
Published: March 2023

Instabilities and pattern formation in viscous fluids have been a major topic of non-linear fluid dynamics for several decades. The study of pattern formation in viscoelastic thin films offers the opportunity to find new fascinating structures that cannot be observed in viscous fluids. Rayleigh–Taylor and Faraday instabilities, such as the resulting patterns in thin films of viscoelastic fluids, are investigated. We use the long-wave approximation and a Karman–Pohlhausen approach to simplify the mass and momentum equations. The viscoelastic stress tensor is calculated applying the linear Maxwell model. Conditions for the Faraday instability have been found using Floquet’s theorem. It is shown that viscoelastic films can exhibit harmonic resonance under external vibration. Moreover, a simulation of the non-linear problem in 2D and 3D is conducted with a finite difference method. Unstable oscillating Rayleigh–Taylor modes occur in the 2D numerical solution. Furthermore, we find that the wavenumber changes with the relaxation time of the fluid. Faraday patterns in viscous films emerge as regular structures of the surface, like squares or hexagons. Numerical simulations of the viscoelastic fluid also show regular structures. However, they collapse into a chaotic stripe-like pattern after a certain time.
Ginseng-Containing Sijunzi Decoction Ameliorates Ulcerative Colitis by Orchestrating Gut Homeostasis in Microbial Modulation and Intestinal Barrier Integrity
Authors: Wu Yuqi , Zheng Yanfei , Wang Xiaolu , Tang Ping , Guo Wenqian , Ma Han , Zhang Anqi , Li Delong , Xie Yuxin , Wang Chong-Zhi , Yao Haiqiang , Wan Jin-Yi , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: March 2023

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has become a global epidemic, and the lack of an effective cure highlights the necessity and urgency to explore novel therapies. Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD), a classical Chinese herbal formula, has been comprehensively applied and clinically proven effective in treating UC; however, the pharmacological mechanism behind its therapeutic benefits is largely obscure. Here, we find that SJZD can restore microbiota homeostasis and intestinal barrier integrity in DSS-induced colitis. SJZD significantly alleviated the colonic tissue damage and improved the goblet cell count, MUC2 secretion, and tight junction protein expressions, which indicated enhanced intestinal barrier integrity. SJZD remarkedly suppressed the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria and genus Escherichia-Shigella, which are typical features of microbial dysbiosis. Escherichia-Shigella was negatively correlated with body weight and colon length, and positively correlated with disease activity index and IL-1[Formula: see text]. Furthermore, through gut microbiota depletion, we confirmed that SJZD exerted anti-inflammatory activities in a gut microbiota-dependent manner, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) validated the mediating role of gut microbiota in the SJZD treatment of UC. Through gut microbiota, SJZD modulates the biosynthesis of bile acids (BAs), especially tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), which has been identified as the signature BA during SJZD treatment. Cumulatively, our findings disclose that SJZD attenuates UC via orchestrating gut homeostasis in microbial modulation and intestinal barrier integrity, thus offering a promising alternative approach to the clinical management of UC.
Simultaneous features of ternary hybrid nanoparticles on thermal radiative flow configured by Darcy–Forchheimer porous surface
Authors: Nasir Saleem , Sirisubtawee Sekson , Akkurt Nevzat , Ali Ishtiaq , Gul Taza , Juntharee Pongpol
Published: March 2023

Due to its remarkable thermodynamic development in various engineering sciences, the dispersion of nanostructures in classical base liquids is receiving greater attention from researchers and scientists. In light of the aforementioned inspirations, the suggested research is associated with using a water-based ternary-hybrid nanofluid that contains three unique nanostructures, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide to optimize the heating process in science and engineering. In this situation, the influence of a chemically reactive magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) Darcy–Forchheimer ternary hybrid composites transport involving nonlinear radiation across an exponentially permeable stretched surface is highlighted with the model’s physical initial and boundary constraints. The simulation of the heat expression also includes the impacts of nonlinear thermal radiations, energy supply, energy dissipation and magnetic force. Furthermore, the interpretation of Buongiorno’s theory involves spontaneous and thermophoresis diffusions. Entropy analysis is explained using the second law of thermodynamics. We converted the model framework for fluid movement, energy and mass transfer (together with ternary hybrid nanofluid characteristics) into self-similar nondimensional differential equations, that were then further analytically evaluated by using the homotopy asymptotic method (HAM) technique via Mathematica software. The acquired results are illustrated numerically and graphically to study the behavior of fluid flow, heat, concentration distribution, drag force, rate of heat and mass transfer for various emergent components to gain scientific comprehension. With the growing values of magnetic, porosity and Forchheimer number, the nature of the velocity profile goes down.
Coexistence of Periodic, Chaotic and Hyperchaotic Attractors in a System Consisting of a Duffing Oscillator Coupled to a van der Pol Oscillator
Authors: Tanekou Sosthene Tsamene , Ramadoss Janarthanan , Kengne Jacques , Kenmoe Germaine Djuidje , Rajagopal Karthikeyan
Published: March 2023

Undoubtedly, multistability represents one of the most followed venues for researchers working in the field of nonlinear science. Multistability refers to the situation where a combination of two or more attractors occurs for the same rank of parameters. However, to the best of our knowledge, the situation encountered in the relevant literature is never one where periodicity, chaos and hyperchaos coexist. In this article, we study a fourth-order autonomous dynamical system composing of a Duffing oscillator coupled to a van der Pol oscillator. Coupling consists in disturbing the amplitude of one oscillator with a signal proportional to the amplitude of the other. We exploit analytical and numerical methods (bifurcation diagrams, phase portraits, basins of attraction) to shed light on the plethora of bifurcation modes exhibited by the coupled system. Several ranks of parameters are revealed where the coupled system exhibits two or more competing behaviors. In addition to the transient dynamics, the most gratifying behavior reported in this article concerns the coexistence of four attractors consisting of a limit cycle of period-n, a pair of chaotic attractors and a hyperchaotic attractor. The impact of a fractional-order derivative is also examined. A physical implementation of the coupled oscillator system is performed and the PSpice simulations confirm the predictions of the theoretical study conducted in this work.
Hopf Bifurcation and Stability of the Double-Delay Lorenz System
Authors: Erxi Zhu , Min Xu , Dechang Pi
Published: March 2023

Based on the nonlinear dynamics theory, the stability of the double-delay Lorenz system is investigated at the equilibrium points, and the conditions of the occurrence of Hopf bifurcation are analyzed. The double-delay Lorenz system has more complex dynamic behaviors, and it is applicable to many fields. Firstly, the equilibrium points of the system are calculated. Subsequently, the local stability of the system at the equilibrium points is determined by analyzing the distribution of the roots of the characteristic equation of the system, and the critical values of the time delays for generating Hopf bifurcation are yielded. With the time delays as the bifurcation parameter, the conditions of the existence of Hopf bifurcation in the system under the same and different time delays are analyzed. Lastly, it is confirmed numerically that the conclusions are drawn complying with the theoretical analysis and applied in the field of secure communication to make the encrypted information more secure and difficult to decipher during transmission.
Random Melnikov Method and Induced Chaos in Bistable Vibro-Impact Oscillators with Bounded Noise
Authors: Li Shuangbao , Jia Lele , Ju Xuewei
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the Melnikov method for an abstract stochastic nonsmooth hybrid system is derived in detail and employed to study the homoclinic bifurcations and induced chaos in a bistable vibro-impact SD oscillator with bounded noise first proposed by Li et al. 2021, in which the geometric nonlinearity is used to produce the irrational restoring force and an impact map is introduced to describe energy loss during collisions. The initial Poincaré section is selected on the right rigid constraint so that rigorous perturbation analysis can be carried out to avoid the extension of trajectories near the switching manifold. The stochastic Melnikov function with geometrical intuition is obtained to detect the threshold of parameters for homocinic tangency of the perturbed stochastic stable and unstable manifolds by calculating the energy difference of their initial points on the Poincaré section. Finally, the analytical Melnikov analysis combined with numerical simulations is carried out to validate the developed Melnikov method for analyzing the global dynamics of the bistable vibro-impact SD oscillator subject to bounded noise.
Stability and Bifurcation of a Delayed Reaction–Diffusion Model with Robin Boundary Condition in Heterogeneous Environment
Authors: Li Chaochao , Guo Shangjiang
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate a reaction–diffusion model with delay and Robin boundary condition in heterogeneous environment. The existence, multiplicity and stability of spatially nonhomogeneous steady-state solutions and periodic solutions are studied by employing the Lyapunov–Schmidt reduction method. Moreover, the Hopf bifurcation direction is derived. It is observed that Robin boundary condition plays a crucial role in the Hopf bifurcation. More precisely, when the boundary effect is stronger than the interaction of the species within the region, there is no Hopf bifurcation no matter how the time delay [Formula: see text] changes. Finally, we illustrate our general theoretical results by an application to the Nicholson’s blowflies model.
Impacts of Predation-Driven Allee Effect in a Predator–Prey Model
Authors: Kayal Kaushik , Samanta Sudip , Chattopadhyay Joydev
Published: March 2023

In the present work, we introduce one of the most significant biological factors — predator-driven Allee effect in a modified Leslie–Gower (LG) model. Our mathematical analyses include local stability analysis, Hopf bifurcation analysis, direction of Hopf bifurcation and Bogdanov–Tankens bifurcation around the coexisting equilibrium point. We also perform numerical simulations to validate our analytical results and to explore rich dynamics. Our results indicate that introducing predator-driven Allee effect not only destabilizes the system but also changes the characteristics of Hopf bifurcation from supercritical to subcritical. The system exhibits two types of bistability behavior between prey-free equilibrium and coexisting equilibrium, and prey-free equilibrium and limit cycle oscillation. Further, we explore an interesting result that the probability of extinction risk of prey population of modified LG system with predator-driven Allee effect is much higher in comparison to modified LG system when Allee term is absent. We have also demonstrated that predation-driven Allee effect increases extinction risk of prey population when the initial predator population size is large.
Asymmetry correlation of neutron skin thickness using relativistic density-dependent hadronic formalism
Authors: Haddad S.
Published: March 2023

The neutron skin thickness is calculated for spherically symmetric even–even lead and tin isotopes, and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] isotones, with known experimental masses. A relation correlating the neutron skin thickness with the asymmetry parameter is determined, which may be used to constrain the nuclear equation of state.
A study of breather lump wave, rogue wave, periodic cross kink wave, multiwave, M-shaped rational and their interactions for generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Seadawy Aly R. , Rizvi Syed T. R. , Nimra
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we examine generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation (GNLSE) for lump, breather lump wave, rogue wave, periodic cross kink wave, lump with one kink, lump with two kink, interaction between lump periodic and kink wave, periodic cross lump wave, periodic wave, and multiwave. Ansatz transformations will be used to study homoclinic breather, kink cross rational, M-shaped rational, periodic cross rational, M-shaped rational with one kink, M-shaped rational with two kink, M-shaped interaction with rogue and kink and M-shaped interaction with periodic and kink. We will also study the stability of the obtained solutions. Additionally, we present 3D, 2D, contour, and stream plot illustrations for our graphs.
TiO2/C aerogel composites as high-performance electrode materials for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Na , Liu Yuan , Zhang Xiaoxue , Wu Xueling , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Zhihua , Shen Jun
Published: March 2023

[Formula: see text]/C aerogel composites are primarily composed of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) and low-cost commercial titanium dioxide nanoparticles. These composites are synthesized through a simple process of freeze-drying and high-temperature carbonization under inert gas protection. [Formula: see text] nanoparticles in the [Formula: see text]/C aerogel composites produce partial oxygen vacancies by high-temperature treatment under anoxic conditions which is beneficial to increase the carrier density of the material. Electrochemical characterizations confirm the excellent specific capacitance, which reaches a maximum of 250 F [Formula: see text] at a current density of 0.2 A [Formula: see text]. Moreover, after 5000 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 10 A [Formula: see text], capacitance retention can be up to 98% or more. These properties are attributed to a synergistic effect of electrical double layer capacitance and pseudo-capacitance.
Endophytic Fungal (Periconia sp.) Biomass Derived 2D Biocarbon and its Influence on Germination and Growth of Mung Bean: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ganesan V. , Hariram M. , Vivekanandhan S. , Muthuramkumar S.
Published: March 2023

Periconia sp. (endophytic fungus) biomass was effectively explored as the source for the fabrication of carbon nanostructures by one-step carbonization at 800∘C for 2[Formula: see text]h. The morphological characterizations of obtained biocarbon through SEM and TEM analysis revealed the formation of 2D-platelet-like carbon nanostructures. Further, its phase and structural characterizations through Raman and XRD analysis also supported the same. The obtained biocarbon was coated upon mung bean seeds to investigate its influence on germination and growth. The preliminary results revealed that the biocarbon accelerates seed germination and growth behavior of mung bean, which was observed by means of length, mass, and surface area profile respectively for the the plant’s shoots, roots, and leaves. It was also found that the germination and growth effects are highly dependent on the concentration of the biocarbon, in which 1000[Formula: see text]mg of biocarbon in 50[Formula: see text]mL of water is found to be higher than the lower concentration for seed germination and seedling growth.
Ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of lead-free Li0.06(K0.5Na0.5)0.94NbO3 thin films
Authors: Bu Xinyu , Yang Changhong , Fan Mengjia , Wang Wenxuan , Lin Xiujuan , Huang Shifeng
Published: March 2023

Lead-free ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text])NbO3 (KNN) and [Formula: see text]([Formula: see text][Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]NbO3 (LKNN) thin films were fabricated by a sol-gel method. The effects of Li substitution on crystal structure, microstructure and electrical properties of KNN film were systematically studied. Li doping can enhance the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of KNN film. Compared with pure KNN film, the LKNN film possesses larger remanent polarization ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 9.3 [Formula: see text]C/[Formula: see text]) and saturated polarization ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 41.2 [Formula: see text]C/[Formula: see text]) and lower leakage current density ([Formula: see text]A/[Formula: see text] at 200 kV/cm). Meanwhile, a typical butterfly shaped piezoelectric response curve is obtained in the LKNN film with a high piezoelectric coefficient ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 105 pm/V). Excellent fatigue resistance ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text] switching cycles) and aging resistance ([Formula: see text] 180 days) demonstrate the long-term working stability of LKNN film. These findings indicate that KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric films have a broad application prospect in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).
Intrusive video oculographic device: An eye-gaze-based device for communication
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Anand J. J. , Hemanth Kumar B. N.
Published: March 2023

With the improvement in image processing and using the fact that eye movement can persist even with severe paralysis condition, we have developed a device that enables a severely paralysed patient to communicate. The device developed makes it possible for the patient to communicate in “yes” or “no” with the movement of the eyeball alone. In the proposed work, we have used Raspberry Pi as the main processor and Python as programming tool. A 5-megapixel camera is used to read eye movement, a speaker is used to speak “yes” or “no” for the patient and a normal power bank is used to supply the proposed setup. The designed device is efficient, cost-effective, lightweight, and can easily fit on the head.
Recommendation System: A Survey and New Perspectives
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhao Sen , Zou Ding
Published: March 2023

With the development of information technology, users usually suffer from the problem of information overload. To solve this problem, recommendation systems (RSs) are widely explored to help the user find potential interest in the overloaded information. Since the recommendation scenarios become more and more abundant, distinct recommendation tasks are accordingly proposed by the researchers. In this survey, we comprehensively investigate various recommendation domains and scenarios, and provide a classification scheme for RSs, aiming to have considerable insight for further research. This survey is supposed to give a systematic understanding of the key components in RSs and summarize the diversified characteristics in each domain or scenario.
Visages of geodiversity and geoheritage: a multidisciplinary approach to valuing, conserving and managing abiotic nature
Authors: Kubalíková Lucie , Irapta Paula Naomi , Pál Márton , Zwoliński Zbigniew , Coratza Paola , van Wyk de Vries Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Geodiversity and geoheritage studies are multidisciplinary, drawing from all sides of geosciences and extending them into the humanities, geoarchaeology, spatial planning, territorial and risk management, economics, tourism, or culture using integrated and interdisciplinary research approaches. During the last three decades, geodiversity and geoheritage research experienced a considerable growth that confirms both scientific and public relevance of these topics. In this introductory text, a brief review of current literature is presented and the importance of geodiversity and geoheritage for sustainable development, geohazard resilience and associated themes is discussed. Last, but not least, the aims and structure of this volume are outlined.
Epitranscriptional Regulation: From the Perspectives of Cardiovascular Bioengineering
Authors: Chen Zhen Bouman , He Ming , Li Julie Yi-Shuan , Shyy John Y.-J. , Chien Shu
Published: March 2023

The central dogma of gene expression involves DNA transcription to RNA and RNA translation into protein. As key intermediaries and modifiers, RNAs undergo various forms of modifications such as methylation, pseudouridylation, deamination, and hydroxylation. These modifications, termed epitranscriptional regulations, lead to functional changes in RNAs. Recent studies have demonstrated crucial roles for RNA modifications in gene translation, DNA damage response, and cell fate regulation. Epitranscriptional modifications play an essential role in development, mechanosensing, atherogenesis, and regeneration in the cardiovascular (CV) system, and their elucidation is critically important to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying CV physiology and pathophysiology. This review aims at providing biomedical engineers with an overview of the epitranscriptome landscape, related key concepts, recent findings in epitranscriptional regulations, and tools for epitranscriptome analysis. The potential applications of this important field in biomedical engineering research are discussed.
Use the Functional Electrolyte Containing 2-Propynemethanesulfonate or 2-Propynebenzenesulfonate Additives to Improve the Long-Cycle Performance of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2/Graphite Batteries
Authors: Nan Fang , Li Wanting , Cen Liying , Wang Wenlian , Zhou Linan , Deng Yuanfu
Published: March 2023

By the aid of calculation and electrochemical methods, two functional electrolytes containing additives 2-proparylene methane sulfonate (2PMS) and 2-proparylene benzene sulfonate (2PBS) respectively are developed to improve the long-cycle performance of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811)/graphite batteries. Compared with the batteries without the additives, the cycling lifetime of the batteries with 2PMS (or 2PBS) can be increased from about 900 cycles to more than 1200 cycles at room temperature and 1 C, and the rate capability, low temperature discharge and high temperature calendar performance are also enhanced. It is demonstrated that these two additives facilitate the formation of uniform electrode/electrolyte interfaces with low impedance and high stability to reduce the side effects of electrolyte, stabilize the active materials, and finally improve the battery performance. These results not only show the effectiveness of the electrolytes with 2PMS (or 2PBS) in the long-cycle NCM811/graphite batteries, but also have enlightenment for developing sulfonate-based additive functionalized electrolytes.
Electrophysiological effects of BDNF and TrkB signaling at type-identified diaphragm neuromuscular junctions
Authors: Mantilla Carlos B. , Ermilov Leonid G. , Greising Sarah M. , Gransee Heather M. , Zhan Wen-Zhi , Sieck Gary C.
Published: March 2023

Neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) enhances neuromuscular transmission via activation of tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB). Rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscle preparations were used to determine the rapid effect of BDNF on synaptic quantal release during repetitive stimulation. BDNF treatment significantly enhanced quantal release at all fiber types. BDNF increased synaptic vesicle cycling (measured using FM4-64 fluorescence uptake); conversely, inhibiting BDNF/TrkB signaling decreased FM4-64 uptake.
Acute effect of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on neuromuscular transmission and locomotive behaviors in larval zebrafish
Authors: Razmara Parastoo , Zaveri Dhruvish , Thannhauser Megan , Ali Declan William
Published: March 2023

Acute exposure to THC alters motor neuron-muscle communication and motor behaviors in developing zebrafish. Our neurophysiology data indicated that the properties of spontaneous synaptic activity at neuromuscular junctions, such as decay component of acetylcholine receptors and frequency of synaptic events, were affected by a 30-min exposure to THC. Hyperactivity and reduced responsiveness to the sound stimulus were also observed in the THC-treated larvae. Exposure to THC during early developing stages may induce motor dysfunction.
Understanding de novo learning for brain-machine interfaces
Authors: Greenwell Davin , Vanderkolff Samia , Feigh Jacob
Published: March 2023

De novo motor learning is a form of motor learning characterized by the development of an entirely new and distinct motor controller to accommodate a novel motor demand. Inversely, adaptation is a form of motor learning characterized by rapid, unconscious modifications in a previously established motor controller to accommodate small deviations in task demands. As most of the motor learning involves the adaptation of previously established motor controllers, de novo learning can be challenging to isolate and observe. The recent publication from Haith et al. (Haith AM, Yang CS, Pakpoor J, Kita K. J Neurophysiol 128: 982–993, 2022.) details a novel method to investigate de novo learning using a complex bimanual cursor control task. This research is especially important in the context of future brain-machine interface devices that will present users with an entirely novel motor learning demand, requiring de novo learning.
Challenges of Computer Vision Adoption in the Kenyan Agricultural Sector and How to Solve Them: A General Perspective
Authors: Owino Astone
Published: March 2023

This study addresses the underlying challenges of computer vision adoption in the Kenyan agricultural sector and how to solve these hurdles to commercialize this technology. Technological advancements have revolutionized the agriculture sector, where artificial intelligence enhances yields, mitigates losses, and manages natural resources, leading to increased productivity. Kenya is still lagging in the commercialization of computer vision to improve its agricultural sector, which is the largest source of GDP. Kenya has remarkable skills and expertise in artificial intelligence that can support artificial intelligence implementation; the government policies, data availability, and high cost incurred in starting a computer vision company are problematic. Through better government policies on subsidies and data, research and development investments, and AI forums, Kenya will solve the challenges of adopting computer vision. While computer vision has the potential to revolutionize the agricultural industry by improving crop yield, detecting diseases, and increasing efficiency, there are several barriers to its adoption, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of technical expertise, and limited funding. This study aims to identify the challenges hindering the implementation of computer vision technology in the Kenyan agricultural sector and propose potential solutions to address these challenges.
Analysis of Bagasse Cellulose-Based Hydrogel for Methylene Blue Removal from Textile Industry Wastewater
Authors: Tesema Bayisa Dame , Chamada Tariku Ayala
Published: March 2023

The textile industry is one of the biggest water consumption production areas and its waste is essential to cause ecological contamination as they deliver questionable color, weighty metal, and degradable natural and inorganic results whenever arranged without treatment. The natural treatment strategy is not broadly drilled because of its intricate method. In the adsorption method, for example, actuated carbon was limited by prudence of its significant expense and low adsorption limit. This study has completed the combination and portrayal of bagasse cellulose-based hydrogel for the expulsion of methylene blue color from textile industry wastewater. The study furnishes a major critical contributing option for biodegradable adsorption material by supplanting the conventional color evacuation method with a nonconventional one that showsthe attainability of horticultural waste for a union of the hydrogel as opposed to noninexhaustible petrochemical based and show the capability of involving hydrogel for the expulsion of harmful contamination from the textile industry. The hydrogel was combined utilizing free extreme polymerization that can utilize acrylic corrosive (AA) and citrus extract as cross-connecting specialists and monomers individually. FTIR, XRD, and conduct metric titration are the primary hardware utilized for the portrayal of the hydrogel. The cycle boundaries that can influence the color evacuation proficiency of hydrogel, for example, pH, contact time, and temperature have been examined. A focal composite plan by rotatable component is the technique used to browse reaction surface strategies to control the tests with the communication of cycle boundaries.
Steam-Jet Evaluation for Predicting Leakage Behavior and Interpretation of Experimental Verification
Authors: Choi Dae Kyung , Park Won Man , Kim Woo-Shik , Euh Dong-Jin , Kwon Tae-Soon , Choi Choengryul
Published: March 2023

Owing to pipe thinning, fatigue damage, and aging, pipes, valves, and devices installed in the primary and secondary systems of nuclear power plants may leak high-temperature/high-pressure reactor coolant. Thus, a system must be developed to determine if the leakage is exceeding the operating limit of the nuclear power plant, thereby mitigating any loss of life or economic loss in such cases. In this study, a validated numerical analysis method was established to initially simulate the leakage behavior and subsequently to evaluate the small amount of leakage in the compartment. For this purpose, a vapor-jet collision test in the compartment and a vapor-jet test in the pipe were performed; numerical analysis was conducted, and comparative analysis was performed to verify the validity of the established method. The evaluation results suggested that the proposed numerical analysis method could optimally simulate the flow characteristics of the steam jet. Notably, compared to the existing evaluation method, the proposed approach simulated a more detailed behavior of the jet formed at the leakage point. In future research, the results of this study (data) will be used to inform the design of the second phase of the leak-capture system and will be served as the foundation for a performance-optimization study on the capture system.
Sitosterolemia: A Case Report and a Concise Literature Review
Authors: Mahzari Moeber M.
Published: March 2023

Background. Sitosterolemia is a relatively rare metabolism lipid disorder, with about 110 cases worldwide and only a few known cases from the Middle East. Sitosterolemia is characterized by excessive uptake of phytosterols and their deposition in various tissues, leading to complications. Mutations in the ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes are associated with pathological changes in sitosterolemia. Case Presentation. An adult patient from Saudi Arabia with dyslipidemia who did not respond to statin therapy. Based on genetic testing, the patient was eventually diagnosed with sitosterolemia. Ezetimibe significantly improved his cholesterol levels. Conclusion. The diagnosis of sitosterolemia is confirmed by the detection of high-phytosterol levels and pathological mutation in the ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes. Treatment of sitosterolemia is based on dietary changes and drugs to inhibit cholesterol absorption, such as ezetimibe.
Multiple Cemento-Ossifying Fibroma: A Sign of Hyperparathyroidism-Jaw Tumour Syndrome
Authors: Apandi Nurul Inaas Mahamad , Basri Nor Nazaliza , Jalil Ajura Abdul , Jelon Md Arad
Published: March 2023

Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumour (HPT-JT) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disease. It is caused by a gene mutation of the tumour suppressor gene CDC73 that encodes for parafibromin. This syndrome predisposes to a triad occurrence of multiple maxillary or mandibular cemento-ossifying fibroma, parathyroid adenoma or carcinoma, and renal and uterine tumours. In this study, we report a case of HPT-JT occurring in a 30-year-old male patient.
The Lost Crown: A Case of an Aspirated Tooth Crown Causing Post-Obstructive Pneumonia
Authors: Primera Gabriella , Matta Jessika , Eubank Louis , Gurung Puncho
Published: March 2023

Non-asphyxiating foreign body aspiration (FBA) is an uncommon occurrence in adults, but it can lead to serious complications and sequelae. Diagnosis of FBA can be difficult as symptoms can mimic other respiratory diseases and the majority of foreign bodies are not visible on chest X-ray. We report a case of an older male who presented with respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia after aspiration of a dental crown. The patient improved after antibiotic therapy and removal of the foreign body by bronchoscopy. Our case is unusual because the diagnosis was delayed after the aspiration event because the patient was asymptomatic before presenting with pneumonia two years later. This case emphasizes the importance of early recognition and management of possible aspiration events to prevent life-threatening sequelae.
Exploring Mental Health Status and Psychosocial Support among Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ullah Abu Naser Zafar , Pratley Pierre , Shariful Islam Md. , Islam Khaleda , Roy Tapash
Published: March 2023

Objectives. Decades of targeted violence, statelessness, and persecution have caused more than a million Rohingyas to flee their homes to Bangladesh. Although basic assistance is being provided, these refugees are living in highly challenging circumstances. The burden of mental health among these refugees is believed to be widespread; however, the extent of these problems is yet to be fully ascertained. We, therefore, conducted a qualitative study to explore the mental health status and psychosocial support among the Rohingya refugees. Methods. A participatory, qualitative research was conducted among the Rohingya refugees, guided by a multidisciplinary team of experts. A mix of purposive sampling, snowball sampling, and random sampling techniques was applied. The participants were randomly selected to ensure the representation of vulnerable groups and physically disabled people. Data were collected by using pretested semi-structured questionnaire and a health facility assessment checklist. The data were analysed using SPSS (version 24) and thematic content analysis techniques. Results. There is a high prevalence of mental health and psychological problems among the Rohingya refugees, but most of the problems are hidden or remained unnoticed. Daily stressors were found to be widespread and associated with social insecurity, lack of livelihood opportunities, and past trauma history of the participants. Conclusions. Stigma and cultural interpretation of mental health among Rohingya are unique and are different from the host population of Bangladesh. To address such huge and challenging problems, all partners working in the humanitarian assistance and development programs in Bangladesh need to provide integrated, effective, and culturally appropriate services to the Rohingya population.
Modelling and Validation of CANDU Shim Operation Using Coupled TRACE/PARCS with Regulating System Response
Authors: Younan Simon , Novog David R.
Published: March 2023

In CANDU reactors, shim operation is used when the online refuelling capability becomes temporarily unavailable. Adjuster rods, normally in-core to provide flux flattening, are withdrawn in sequence to provide additional reactivity as the fuel is depleted. In a CANDU 900 reactor, up to three of the eight adjuster banks may be withdrawn, with the power derated accordingly. In this study, the shim operation was modelled using a combination of TRACE_Mac1.1, PARCS_Mac1.1, and scripts modelling the reactor regulating system, all running as a single coupled simulation. A driver script simulated the operation as a sequence of steady-state, depletion, and transient models. The results were compared to operational data from a nuclear power plant, evaluating the key figures of merit. The simulation was extended beyond the operational data by reducing the power to 59% FP and withdrawing the remaining adjusters, to observe the behaviour of the simulated reactor for a deeper reactivity-driven transient. Sensitivity cases, including adjuster rod depletion and nuclear data uncertainty, were also evaluated. This study was able to successfully reproduce the general results of the shim operation. Some discrepancies were observed between the simulation and dataset for the duration of the shim, particularly for the one bank out phase of the shim. Several potential causes for the early phase behaviour were identified. When the simulation was extended, the model predicted that a power reduction below 60% FP would lead to xenon poison out when the adjusters were depleted, with the timing sensitive to the adjuster depletion. Nodalisation of the PARCS model also had a significant impact, due to the effect on adjuster nodalisation and its area-of-effect with respect to the actual adjuster locations. Nuclear data uncertainty had a lesser but still noticeable effect. Other parameters, such as the distribution of fuel burnups in the core, only had a small effect on the shim operation.
Adsorption Characteristics of Alkanes with Different Carbon Numbers in Kaolinite Slits
Authors: Xue Haitao , Yan Penglei , Dong Zhentao , Zhao Rixin , Ding Guozhi , Yan Jinliang , Li Chunlei
Published: March 2023

Shale oil is of interest for unconventional oil and gas exploration and development and has abundant geological reserves. Shale reservoirs contain numerous nanopores. Understanding the adsorption state of shale oil in the nanopores of shale is beneficial to improve the recovery of shale oil. In this study, the adsorption properties of shale oil in kaolinite slit pores were investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. In order to study the adsorption characteristics of shale oil with different components, a single-component model from n-C8 to n-C15 was established, and a mixed model of n-C8 and n-C15 with different mass ratios represented different crude oil components. The results show that the adsorption capacity per unit area increases with the increase of the alkane carbon number. The adsorption capacity of alkanes on the surface of silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is greater than that on the surface of aluminium-oxygen octahedron. The interaction force between kaolinite and alkane surface increases with the increase of alkane carbon number. The alkane adsorption capacity of silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is stronger than that of aluminium-oxygen octahedron. Competitive adsorption also exists between alkane molecules. Alkanes with higher carbon numbers are more easily adsorbed on the surface of kaolinite. Light alkanes are more likely to exist in free form than heavy alkanes. Based on molecular simulations, we studied the adsorption capacity of alkanes with different carbon numbers and calculated the adsorption capacity per unit area in the pores. It provides a theoretical basis for the calculation of shale oil geological reserves.
The Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation in Taste Disorder Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Mozaffar Boshra , Ardavani Arash , Muzafar Hisham , Idris Iskandar
Published: March 2023

Introduction. Food taste and flavour affect food choice and acceptance, which are essential to maintain good health and quality of life. Reduced circulating zinc levels have been shown to adversely affect the taste, but the efficacy of zinc supplementation to treat disorders of taste remains unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to examine the efficacy of zinc supplementation in the treatment of taste disorders. Methods. We searched four electronic bibliographical databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid AMAD, and PubMed. Article bibliographies were also searched, which yielded additional relevant studies. There were no restrictions on the publication date to facilitate the collection and identification of all available and relevant articles published before 7 February 2021. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA Statement. This review was registered at PROSPERO and given the identification number CRD42021228461. Results. In total, we included 12 randomized controlled trials with 938 subjects. The intervention includes zinc (sulfate, gluconate, picolinate, polaprezinc, and acetate), and the pooled results of the meta-analysis of subjects with idiopathic and zinc-deficient taste disorder indicate that improvements in taste disorder occurred more frequently in the experimental group compared to the control group (RR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.64,

p
=
0.0002

). Zinc supplementation appears to confer a greater improvement in taste perception amongst those with chronic renal disease using zinc acetate (overall RR = 26.69, 95% CI = 5.52–129.06,

p
<
0.0001

). The doses are equivalent to 17 mg–86.7 mg of elemental zinc for three to six months. Conclusion. Zinc supplementation is an effective treatment for taste disorders in patients with zinc deficiency, idiopathic taste disorders, and in patients with taste disorders induced by chronic renal failure when given in high doses ranging from 68 to 86.7 mg/d for up to six months.