bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response spectrum-based analysis of airborne radar random vibration and multi-point control improvement
Authors: Liu Jie , Liu Zezheng , Chen Wanqian , Lv Jing , Jiang Zixuan , Pang Jiahao , Du Libin
Published: October 2023

During the flight of a UAV, the LiDAR device undergoes random vibrations due to the changing flight attitude and wind speed conditions of the UAV. It is important to control the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations within a reasonable range by means of a damping structure. As the vibrations caused by various factors during flight are random and non-linear, this paper innovates the analysis principle and damping control means for the random vibrations of airborne optoelectronic devices. The response spectrum analysis theory is used to establish the shock response spectrum, and an optimised and improved recursive digital filtering method is used to fit the frequencies of random vibration to the synthetic shock response. Considering the uncertainty of the vibration excitation signal, a virtual excitation method is used for the first time to simulate the random vibration to which the radar may be subjected in the air, and to simplify the calculation steps. The shock plate structure is designed using a multi-point control method to innovate a passive response to the random excitation. Finally, a modal analysis of the synthesised shock response was carried out to verify that the first six modal frequencies were controlled to within 220Hz to achieve frequency reduction and the amplitudes were controlled to within 0.5mm in the three xyz directions to achieve vibration damping.
Multi-objective optimization of FSW variables on joint properties of AA5754 aluminum alloy using Taguchi approach and grey relational analysis
Authors: sobhy saleh , Elbadawi Rehab E , Zoalfakar said
Published: October 2023

The friction stir welding (FSW) process was applied to butt-weld AA5754 plates, and the joints of each weld case were identified by their tensile strength, hardness, and impact toughness. The combined effects of the process variables rotation speed, welding speed, and tilt angle have been evaluated in the present study using Taguchi's design of experiments approach and grey relational analysis (GRA). A multi-objective optimization approach (Taguchi method and GRA) was used to optimize and rank the process variables. The developed models are evaluated for sufficiency, and the most significant terms are found using the ANOVA approach. The results of the ANOVA showed that the rotational speed has a maximum contribution of 55.24%, 59%, and 46.27% in obtaining the optimal values of tensile strength, hardness, and impact toughness, respectively. Finding an optimal parameter that offers the maximum value of all replies requires the use of the GRA and Taguchi Technique by Similarity to Suitable Solution. The two methods provide the same results, and the optimal conditions are a rotational speed of 1000 rpm, a welding speed of 60 mm/min, and a tilt angle of 2.5 degrees. The optimal values for tensile strength, hardness, and impact toughness, respectively, were found to be 136 MPa, 85.25 HV, and 13 J.
Molecular Characterization of an Outbreak-involved Bacillus anthracis Strain Confirms the Spillover of Anthrax from West Africa
Authors: Wang Shuchao , Suluku Roland , Jalloh Mohamed B. , Samba Ahmed F. , Jiang Baogui , Xie Yubiao , Harding Doris , Zhang Mengyao , Sahr Foday , Sesay Mahmud E. , Squire James S. , Vandi Mohamed A. , Kallon Moinina N. , Zhang Shoufeng , Hu Rongliang , Zhao Yuee , Mi Zhiqiang
Published: October 2023

Background
Anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, remains a major global public health concern, especially in countries with limited resources. Sierra Leone, a West African country historically plagued by anthrax, has almost been out of report on this disease in recent decades, possibly due to limitations in diagnostic capabilities. In this study, we described a large-scale anthrax outbreak affecting both animals and humans and attempted to characterize the pathogen using molecular tools.
Methods
The causative agent of the animal outbreak was identified using the nanopore sequencing technique. Confirmation of suspected cases of cutaneous anthrax in humans, identified through active surveillance, was conducted using qPCR targeting both the chromosome and two virulent plasmids. Full-genome sequencing was accomplished by combining long-read and short-read sequencing methods. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis was performed based on the full-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms.
Results
The outbreak in Port Loko District, Sierra Leone, led to the death of 233 animals between March 26th and May 16th, 2022. We ruled out the initial suspicion of Anaplasma species and successfully identified B. anthracis as the causative agent of the outbreak. As a result of the government's prompt response, out of the 49 suspected human cases identified during the one-year active surveillance, only six human cases, all within the first month after the official declaration of the outbreak, were confirmed. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the BaSL2022 isolate responsible for the outbreak was positioned in the A.Br.153 clade within the TransEuroAsian group of B. anthracis.
Conclusions
The anthrax outbreak identified in this study was unprecedented in scale in Sierra Leone. With regard to the shared predicament, the utilization of nanopore sequencing and molecular techniques to identify unknown diseases in Sierra Leone has provided valuable insights into emergency preparedness in similar nations. The A.Br.153 clade, where BaSL2022 was phylogenetically placed, is distinct from the existing West African lineages but may have been prevalent in a large area of West Africa for a long period and undergone evolutionary changes to adapt to novel geographical environments, as evidenced by the spillover of this strain to the United Kingdom and United States.
Graphical Abstract
Analysis of the Genome of Chromium-resistant Serratia sp. CM01 and Chromium Metabolism Characteristics of the ChrA1-Srpc Gene
Authors: Wang Mengjia , Li Xinglong , Yin Qi , Wu Yanqing , Xiao Hong
Published: October 2023

Objective: Serratia sp. CM01 is a naturally domesticated strain with chromium (Cr) resistance and Cr(VI) reduction ability isolated from a Cr-enriched environment. The genome of Serratia sp. CM01 was sequenced and analysed to identify key genes involved in chromium metabolism. Corresponding engineered bacteria associated with special metabolic features were constructed to further study the function of these genes and their encoded proteins in chromium metabolism.
Methods: The whole genome of Serratia sp. CM01 was sequenced, and genes involved in chromium metabolism were analysed. The ChrA1 and Srpc genes were selected and introduced into E. coli using the prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a. The target proteins were identified using sodium dodecyl sulphate‒polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‒PAGE) and Western blotting. Chromium tolerance and removal tests were used to assess the chromium metabolic capabilities of the engineered bacteria.
Results: The results of genome sequencing revealed that the genome size of Serratia sp. was 4,902,254 bp, from which 12 genes involved in chromium metabolism were screened. The ChrA1 and Srpc genes were chosen, and three engineered bacteria (eChrA1, eSrpc, and eCS) were successfully constructed. The growth of the three engineered bacteria showed no difference under Cr(VI)-free circumstances (P > 0.05). In the presence of Cr(VI), the viable bacterial cell mount during the stabilization phase was eCS > eChrA1 > eSrpc, and the tolerance and removal rate of Cr(VI) was ranked eCS > eChrA1 > eSrpc.
Conclusion: The genome of Serratia sp. CM01 contains genes related to chromium metabolism, such as NemA, ChrA1, Srpc and FieF. The ChrA1 and Srpc gene-encoded proteins confer Cr(VI) resistance to engineered bacteria, but the specific mechanism of chromium resistance remains to be further studied. eChrA1 has a stronger anti-Cr(VI) ability than eSrpc. The eCS-engineered bacterial strain with ChrA1 and Srpcgenes was more resistant to hexavalent chromium, and it has the potential to handle Cr(VI) pollution in the virtual environment.
Fault-tolerant Echo State Networks for Mobile Network Traffic Prediction
Authors: Sun Xiaochuan , Gao Jiahui , Wang Yu , Li Yingqi , Feng Yingqiao
Published: October 2023

Network traffic prediction is widely recognized as a potential solution for many functions of network security and management. Currently, numerous neural networks (NNs) are used in network traffic prediction tasks. When errors occur in the computational units implemented in NNs due to the effects of hardware failures, the results of arithmetic operations can be altered, and the prediction results may be affected by errors. This is unacceptable when NNs are used for network traffic prediction, because erroneous prediction results may lead to network congestion, uneven resource allocation, and other problems. Therefore, for NNs operating on mobile edge devices, an effective fault tolerance scheme needs to be embedded. A fault-tolerant model for fixed-type neuron failures in echo state networks (FtESN), is proposed in this paper, to improve its reliability in mobile network traffic prediction tasks. There are three specific contributions as follows: 1) We model the fixed-type faulty neurons and introduce the concept of degree for indexing. 2) A simple fixed fault tolerance mechanism is proposed for these faulty neurons. 3) The boundary conditions for reservoir neuron fault tolerance are proved by mathematical theoretical derivation. Experimental results show that the method is effective in recovering performance from fault patterns in terms of prediction accuracy, frequency-domain analysis, statistical distribution comparison, and short-term memory capacity (MC).
Trace Elements Determination and Health Risk Assessment of Groundwater Sources in Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Peasah Michael Yaw , Awewomom Jonathan , Osae Richard , Agorku Eric Selorm
Published: October 2023

Human health and socioeconomic sustainable development are inextricably linked to water quality. Trace element (TE) contamination in groundwater is a key factor for health risk assessment and one of the environmental challenges linked with Ghana’s sustainable development. This study aims to investigate TEs concentrations in groundwater used for drinking and domestic purposes and their potential health risk in the Kumasi Metropolis using multivariate statistics. In the study, 23 groundwater samples were analyzed for 32 TEs using Perkin Elmer Nexion 2000 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The study revealed that the concentration of some trace and toxic elements such as Al, Cu and Pb exceeded their corresponding WHO permissible standards. Hazard index (HI) values and total likely cancer risk (TLCR) values computed for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk indicate that 91.3% of the total sampling sites presented health concerns to adults and children. The mean TLCR values associated with exposure to carcinogenic metals via ingestion of groundwater samples were estimated to be 2.09 × 10− 4 and 4.44 × 10− 4 for adults and children respectively. Exposure through ingestion pathway was found to be more risky compared to dermal contacts. Children are particularly vulnerable to these health hazards. Pearson correlation (PC) matrix, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) suggested that sources of TEs in the groundwater are attributed to both anthropogenic and geogenic factors.
Equity in the Advanced Care at Home Model In an Integrative Healthcare System
Authors: Mashaw Arsheeya , Snyder Gregory
Published: October 2023

Advanced Care at Home (ACAH) provides hospital-level care as a substitute for traditional facility-based hospital care. However, there are still concerns regarding equity of care to different socioeconomic groups for this model of care. This retrospective cohort study compared socioeconomic indicators between typical hospital care and an ACAH model in an integrated healthcare system. By utilizing demographics, Neighborhood Deprivation Index (NDI), Medical Financial Aid (MFA) status, and insurance status as proxies for socioeconomic status, our data suggests that care was provided at similar rates to traditional hospital care regardless of age, race, ethnicity, insurance status or degree of social deprivation. In patients in the 4th of 5 NDI quintiles (higher socioeconomic needs), a higher percentage were treated in the ACAH model (20.4% vs. 14.2%; P < 0.00001). 16.9% of Kaiser Permanente at Home patients had applied for MFA within 6 months of admission compared with 13.5% of hospital patients (P = 0.00001).
A comparative study of cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesive and surgical sutures on marginal flap stability following coronally advanced flap
Authors: Pabst Andreas , Becker Philipp , Kuchen Robert , Schumann Sven , Kasaj Adrian
Published: October 2023

Introduction:
The present study evaluated the biomechanical characteristics of cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesive (TA) compared to surgical sutures in coronally advanced flap (CAF) procedures using an ex-vivo model.
Material and Methods
Thirty-six half pig mandibles were divided into 3 groups, n = 12 each: (I) CAF fixed with sutures (sling and tag suture technique), (II) CAF fixed with TA, and (III) CAF fixed with sutures and TA. At mandibular molars, gingival recession defects extending 3 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) were created. CAF procedures were performed using a split-full-split approach, with coronal advancement of the flap to 1 mm above the marked CEJ and stabilization according to the respective group I-III. Marginal flap stability against pull-of forces (maximum tensile force) was measured with an universal material testing machine until the CEJ became visible.
Results
The comparison between the groups I-III demonstrated a significantly increased maximum tensile force for the TA (II) compared to the suture group (I) (p < 0.001). A significantly increased maximum tensile force was found for the suture and TA (III) compared to the suture group (I) (p < 0.001). There was also a significantly increased maximum tensile force in the suture and TA (III) compared to the TA group (II) (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The results suggest that cyanoacrylate-based TA can increase marginal flap stability compared to sutures in CAF procedures.
Clinical Relevance:
Cyanoacrylate-based TA can be considered as a useful and valuable adjunct to conventional suturing techniques in periodontal plastic surgery, especially in cases where high flap stability is required.
Unveiling the Exodus of Nurses in Somalia: Exploring the Reasons for Nurse Attrition and the Implications for the Healthcare System
Authors: Dahie Hassan Abdullahi
Published: October 2023

Background The indispensable role of nurses in the healthcare system is evident as they contribute significantly to the effectiveness of healthcare delivery. However, nurse attrition, especially in countries like Somalia, is a growing concern. This research explores the reasons behind nurse attrition and its implications for healthcare systems.Methodology A qualitative research study was conducted in the Benadir region, involving 42 former nurses and 8 healthcare administrators. In-depth interviews were conducted with the former nurses to understand their motivations for entering the nursing profession, their experiences within the field, and the factors leading to their attrition. For healthcare administrators, semi-structured interviews were employed to explore the implications of nurse attrition on the healthcare system. Thematic analysis was used to identify and analyze the central themes that emerged from these interviews.Results Nurses often enter the profession driven by compassion and the desire to impact patient lives positively. However, disparities between initial expectations and realities of nursing practice, including inadequate compensation, burnout, unfavorable working conditions, job dissatisfaction, strained nurse-doctor relationships, and community misconceptions about the nursing role, contribute to nurse attrition. This phenomenon has several negative consequences, including a shortage of nurses, reduced care quality, increased workload for remaining nurses, longer patient wait times, limited access to healthcare services, higher operational expenses, added responsibilities for doctors, and lasting effects on public health.Conclusion & recommendations Nurse attrition is a complex process influenced by various factors. To mitigate its impact on healthcare systems, policymakers and healthcare administrators must allocate resources strategically, focus on comprehensive planning, and prioritize the recognition, support, and retention of nurses within the healthcare framework.
A Novel Nomogram based on Hemodynamic Monitoring for Predicting Survival of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Analysis Based on the MIMIC-III Database.
Authors: Xu Shuwan , Li Junping , Yao Jiyi , Li Zhaolin , Zheng Jianming , Mai Peibiao , Luo Niansang , Zhang Huanji , Zhang Kun
Published: October 2023

Background
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common cause of mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, which is often accompanied by hemodynamic instability. We aimed to develop a nomogram integrated hemodynamic parameters to predict both short-term and long-term overall survival of patients with AMI.
Methods
1606 AMI patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database were retrospectively enrolled, all of whom underwent hemodynamic measurement within 24 h of ICU admission. In the primary cohort, a predictive nomogram based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis was constructed to identify prognostic factors for the overall survival of AMI patients.
Results
LASSO and Cox regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure, central venous pressure, systemic vascular resistance index, left ventricular stroke work, heart rate and oxygen saturation were satisfied to establish the prediction nomogram. The AUC of the model was 0.710 (95% CI: 0.664 to 0.755) for the primary cohort and 0.704 (95% CI: 0.637 to 0.771) for the validation cohort. The time-dependent AUC did not decrease significantly over time within 1 year (fluctuates around 0.7). Moreover, calibration curves, decision curve and survival curves for 7 days, 14 days, 30 days and 1 year demonstrated that this validated nomogram could provide a good predictive value for patients with AMI by combining multiple hemodynamic parameters.
Conclusions
Our nomogram based on multiple hemodynamic parameters has a good predict value for the survival of AMI patients.
Liver function tests in patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: prevalence and impact on in-hospital mortality
Authors: Wang Jujuan , Gao Xin , Shu Yongqian , Cheng Wanying , Qiu Hongxia , Xu Ji , Yin Guangli
Published: October 2023

Adult secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLHa) is a condition of immune dysregulation and hyperinflammation that is commonly associated with hepatic dysfunction. However, to date, no studies have systematically described liver test abnormalities in patients with sHLHa. The contribution of abnormalities in liver function tests (LFTs) to the mortality in patients with sHLHa remains unclear. In this retrospective study, clinical records and LFTs were obtained from 269 patients with sHLHa at admission. Multivariable logistic models and restricted cubic spline models were used to evaluate the relationship between LFTs and in-hospital mortality. Of these sHLH patients, 56.5% had abnormal ALT, 75.8% had abnormal AST, 61.3% had abnormal ALP, and 42.0% had abnormal total bilirubin. Multivariate analysis revealed that abnormal LFTs (as continuous variables) were associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (OR28 − day=2.84, P = 0.025 for ALP; OR7 − day=2.77, P = 0.038 and OR28 − day=4.84, P<0.001 for TBIL). Whereas, as binary categorical variable, compared with that of normal TBIL levels, abnormal TBIL levels were associated with increased 7-day mortality (OR = 3.56, P = 0.022) and 28-day mortality (OR = 2.03, P = 0.020). Abnormal ALP was associated with increased 28-day mortality (OR = 2.34, P = 0.008) but not 7-day mortality. In addition, the restricted cubic spline curve displayed a nonlinear and positive relationship between ALP and 28-day mortality (P for nonlinearity = 0.018). We also found no association between AST or ALT and outcomes. At admission, sHLHa patients commonly have abnormal LFTs. After multivariable adjustment, abnormal ALP and TBIL were independently associated with in-hospital mortality and may represent an important prognostic variable.
Effortless Production, Characterization of Cu/Cu2O Nanostructures using Coconut Water (Cocos nucifera L.) as Bioreductants towards Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxicity on A549 & HeLa Cell lines
Authors: Sriniva Anbalagan , Gayathri Gopalakrishnan , Devipriya Sivasdasan , Velmani Nanjan , Rajagopal Guruswamy , Ameen Kamaludeen Balkis , Clement Arokiam Joseph , Pandaram Perumal , Rajasekar Krishnan , Alagunambi Ramasubbu
Published: October 2023

Facile fabrication of Copper/Cuprous Oxide Nanostructures (Cu/Cu2O-NS) using Fehling’s solution and Tender, Matured Coconut water (TCW & MCW); Cocos nucifera) as bio-reductants was accomplished. The bio-fabricated nanostructures displayed the distinctive SPR bands confirming the formation of Cu/Cu2O-NS. The powder X – ray diffraction studies showed the FCC crystal pattern of copper with co-existence of cuprous oxide. The morphology of synthesized Cu/Cu2O-NS was analyzed with the help of FE-SEM and HR-TEM analysis. The DLS measurements indicated negative zeta potential (ζ) values, which endorsed the colloidal stability of Cu/Cu2O-NS. The BET surface area analysis demonstrated that both Cu/Cu2O-NS possessed a mesoporous structure as confirmed by N2 sorption isotherms, the pore size distribution analysis was carried out by BJH method. The bio-fabricated Cu/Cu2O-NS exhibited the remarkable antibacterial efficacy against Gram + Ve and Gram –Ve bacteria. The antioxidant capability of Cu/Cu2O-NS was assessed through DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The anticancer potential of synthesized Cu/Cu2O-NS was evaluated against Lung and Cervical Cancer Cell lines using MTT assay. The apoptotic assessments were performed by fluorescence microscopy with AO/EB staining. The results showed that MCW-Cu/Cu2O-NS exhibited higher potency compared to TCW-Cu/Cu2O-NS. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the maximum concentration of (50 µg/ml) of MCW-Cu/Cu2O-NS inducted the highest level of apoptosis. Overall the results highlighted the potential of bio-fabricated Cu/Cu2O-NS against specific bacterial strains as well as Lung and Cervical Cancer cell lines.
Reparation of Nano-FeS by Ultrasonic Precipitation for Treatment of Acidic Chromium-Containing Wastewater
Authors: Dai Mengjia , Di Junzhen , Zhang Ting , Li Tuoda , Dong Yanrong , Bao Sihang , Fu Saiou
Published: October 2023

Nano-FeS is prone to agglomeration in the treatment of chromium-containing wastewater, and ultrasonic precipitation was used to synthesize nano-FeS to increase its dispersion. The optimization of the preparation method was carried out by single factor method (reaction temperature, Fe/S molar ratio and FeSO4 dropping flow rate) and response surface methodology. Dynamic experiments were constructed to investigate the long-term remediation effect and water column changes of nano-FeS and its solid particles. The changes of the remediation materials before and after the reaction were observed by SEM, and the mechanism of the remediation of chromium-containing wastewater by nano-FeS prepared by ultrasonication was revealed by XRD. The results showed that the reaction temperature of 12°C, Fe/S molar ratio of 3.5 and FeSO4 dropping flow rate of 0.5 ml·s-1 were the best parameters for the preparation of nano-FeS. The nano-FeS has efficient dispersion and well-defined mesoporous structure in the form of needles and whiskers of 40–80 nm. The dynamic experiments showed that the average removal of Cr(VI) and total chromium by nano-FeS and its immobilized particles were 94.97% and 63.51%, 94.93% and 45.76%, respectively. Fe2+ and S2- ionized by the FeS nanoparticles rapidly reduced Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Part of S2- may reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+, forming a small iron cycle that gradually decreases with the ion concentration.Cr(III) and Fe2+ form Cr(OH)3 and FeOOH, respectively, with the change of aqueous environment.Another part of S2- reacts with Cr(III) to form Cr2S3 precipitate or is oxidized to singlet sulfur.The FeS nanoparticles change from short rod-shaped to spherical shape. Compared with the conventional chemical precipitation method, the method used in this study is simple, low cost, small particle size and high removal rate per unit.
Enhancing Smart Grid Cybersecurity: A Comprehensive Analysis of Attacks, Defenses, and Innovative AI-Blockchain Solutions
Authors: Ghadi Yazeed Yasin , Talpur Dhani Bux , Mazhar Tehseen , Irfan Hafiz Muhammad , Salaria Umair Ahmad , Hanif Saba , Shahzad Tariq , Hamam Habib
Published: October 2023

With the rapid expansion of the world population and economy, the need for energy has also increased. To minimize energy waste, it is crucial that energy be supplied to residences and businesses in an efficient manner. Smart Grids (SG) have the potential to decrease these power losses by improving the energy grid's efficiency. The effective integration of methods like artificial intelligence and blockchain into SGs has made it easier to predict customer preferences. Immediate analysis and comparison of the different AI and blockchain approaches is necessary in order to determine which approach is best for SGs. This study aims to know about some basic of smart grid. Furthermore, this study also looks at different types of layers and attacks on these layers and provide solutions of these attacks using AI and blockchain methods. At the end the study, also focus on open issues in this field and gives some future directions. By classifying attacks, proposing innovative defenses, and exploring AI and blockchain solutions, the study contributes to safeguarding smart grid infrastructures. Future research directions include addressing emerging attack strategies and refining technology for enhanced security.
In Silico Analysis and In-depth Assessment of a Female Patient with a Missense Mutation in the F12 Gene Associated with Hereditary Angioedema Symptoms: A Case Study
Authors: Pechnikova Nadezhda , Yaremenko Alexey V. , Saitgalina Maria A. , Shchemelev Alexander N. , Bebyakov Alexander M. , Denisova Anita R. , Podchernyaeva Nadezhda S. , Sedykh Anna V. , Ostankova Yulia V. , Totolian Areg A.
Published: October 2023

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of localized skin and mucosal swelling, with potential life-threatening complications, particularly in the upper respiratory tract. While much is understood about the mutations behind HAE I-II types, the genetic landscape of type III remains complex. Our study provides a comprehensive exploration of an undiagnosed case of a 13-year-old female presenting with HAE symptoms. Despite undergoing thorough clinical evaluations including blood, immunochemical, coprological, and allergen tests, no correlations with allergies or HAE I-II types were observed. Leveraging whole-exome sequencing, a unique missense mutation in the F12gene (NC_000005.9: g.176831826 C > G, Ala207Pro) was identified in the patient's genetic profile, which she inherited from both parents. Subsequent comprehensive in silico analyses suggest this mutation could be a potent contributor to HAE's III type manifestation, notably in homozygous females. The data brought forth intricate relationships between age-related hormonal changes (estrogen fluctuations), specific genetic variance, and the multifaceted bradykinin pathway's involvement in HAE episodes. Significantly, the mutation's position within the EGF-like 2 domain hints at possible effects on protein structure, which might impact its structural stability and subsequent function. Advanced bioinformatics approaches greatly streamlined the identification and comprehension of this pathogenic mutation, demonstrating their invaluable role, especially in atypical cases. We believe that merging in silico methodologies with clinical observations offers a promising avenue for a comprehensive understanding of genetic disorders, emphasizing an integrated approach essential for the development of personalized diagnostic and treatment approaches for diseases such as HAE.
Numerical study on the effect of near-fault pulse motion on soil liquefaction potential
Authors: Tsai Chi-Chin , Li Pei-Chi , Wang Jui-Pin
Published: October 2023

Near-fault (NF) pulse-like ground motions have a significant impact on the performance of structures, but their effects on soil liquefaction potential have been relatively understudied. This paper uses 1D effective stress site response analysis capable of modeling porewater pressure (PWP) generation to investigate the seismic site response under NF and general ground motions. The aim is to assess the effects of NF motions on soil liquefaction by considering different soil models and PWP generation models. The results show that NF ground motions generally induce larger ground responses in terms of PWP generation, especially when the durations of the motions are short. This is due to the higher cumulative absolute velocity associated with NF ground motions compared with general ground motions due to a high-velocity pulse under the same peak ground acceleration. However, this effect diminishes as the duration of motion increases. To avoid underestimating seismic demand, especially for small to moderate earthquakes, a preliminary magnitude scale factor modified for the NF effect is suggested for use in conventional soil liquefaction triggering analysis.
Intraseasonal variability of the Deep Scattering Layer observed by subsurface mooring deployed east of Taiwan Island
Authors: WANG BEI , YU FEI , WANG RAN , TAO ZHENCHENG , REN QIANG , LIU XINGCHUAN , CHEN ZIFEI , NAN FENG
Published: October 2023

The Deep Scattering Layer (DSL), a stratum of marine Diel Vertical Migration (DVM) organisms inhabiting the mesopelagic ocean, plays a crucial role in transporting carbon and nutrients from the surface to depth through the migration of its organisms. Here, using 18 months in-situ observations and altimeter sea level data, we observed for the first time the intraseasonal variation of the DSL and the DVM of zooplankton and micronekton to the east of the Taiwan Island, and revealed the underlying dynamics. The vertical speeds returned from the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler are used to investigate the distribution and variation of the DVM innovatively. Results of power spectrum analysis of the scattering intensity indicate that the DSL exhibits a significant intraseasonal variability (ISV) with an 80-day period. Simultaneously, the variation of the DVM is linked to the DSL, and also shows an 80-day ISV during the observation. Dynamically, the ISV of the DSL to the east of the Taiwan Island is correlated with the westward-propagating mesoscale eddies. When anticyclonic (cyclonic) eddies move towards the Taiwan Island, the local isotherms bend downward (upward), resulting in warming (cooling) in the DSL, and thus the upper boundary layer of the DSL gradually deepens (rises). These findings highlight the significant influence of mesoscale eddies on biological activity in the mesopelagic ocean.
Multiomics analysis reveals gut profiles in patients with different brain tumors
Authors: Wang hao , Zhou Yingshun , Zhao Mingkuan , Li Shenjie , Wen Yuqi , Wang Ke , Wang Ming , Tian Junjie , Xiang Wei , Chen Chaoyi , Gu Long , Ming Yang , Li Tao , Jiang Zengliang , Chen Ligang , Zhou Jie
Published: October 2023

Background
Numerous close relationships between the gut microbiota and various cancers have been described, and several studies suggest that the gut microbiota can influence the central nervous system (CNS), but the relationship between the intestinal microbiome and brain tumors is unclear. Furthermore, the role of action of the gut microbiota on brain tumors has not been well understood, especially in the CNS, which has been considered an immune-privileged organ due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier.
Results
In the present work, we systematically compared the gut microbiome and metabolite alterations in patients with a brain tumor, including patients with meningioma (MEG), glioma and brain metastasis (BM), with those of healthy controls (HCs) using faecal metagenomics and metabolomics, and used this in relation to clinical indicators to explore their possible causative mechanisms in the disease. In the disease group, bacterial abundance was altered, showing a significant decrease in Gram-positive bacteria such as Lachnospiraceae and a substantial increase in Gram-negative bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, while lipopolysaccharide‒associated pathways were also enriched. Additionally, metabolites were changed: most amino acid and fatty acid metabolites increased, while bile acids (BAs) and carbohydrates decreased. However, the differences in bacteria and metabolites between the disease groups were less than those between the HCs. Furthermore, a variety of immune-related clinical indicators, bacteria, metabolites and pathways were significantly altered in the disease groups. Finally, markers based on bacterial flora and metabolites were effective in differentiating the disease groups from the HCs.
Conclusions
The multiomics data from this study revealed that dysbiosis and metabolic abnormalities were present in the gut of patients with brain tumors. At the same time, host immune abnormalities may be associated with dysbiosis and may lead to tumour development and progression through inflammatory, immune, and metabolic interactions; these altered microbiome-metabolome-host interactions may help explain the pathogenesis of brain tumors, and provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of brain tumors. The microbiome and its derived metabolites are a promising noninvasive tool for the accurate detection and differentiation of patients with different brain tumors.
Alteration of Apoptosis-related Genes in Female Pelvic Supportive Tissues with Regard to Menopausal Status
Authors: Saatli Bahadir , Kurt Serap , Cagliyan Erkan , Kizildag Sefa
Published: October 2023

Purpose: We aimed to compare expression levels of anti-apoptotic and proapoptotic genes in parametrium, sacrouterine and round ligaments of women without and sign of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with respect to menopausal status. We hypothesized that apoptosis related gene expressions in female pelvic tissues may be altered during menopause.
Methods: The study groups consisted of women who did not have POP symptoms pre-menopausal (n=10) and menopausal (n=10). Three different types of tissue samples (Parametrium-Round Ligament-Sacrouterine Ligament) were taken from the cases and RNA was isolated from these tissues. After purifying and quantifying RNA samples, qPCR was used to determine the expression levels of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic genes.
Results: BCL-2 gene expression levels were significantly lower in all tissues of menopausal patients compared to all tissues of premenopausal patients. Sacrouterine ligament tissue BAD expression level was significantly high (p= 0.035), BCL-2/BAD ratio was significantly lower in menopausal patients compared to premenopausal patients (p = 0.006).
Conclusions: Apoptosis-related protein levels change during menopause, pro-apoptotic gene expressions decrease and anti-apoptotic gene expressions increase. Significant alteration of BCL-2 and BAD expression in sacrouterine ligament with respect to menopausal status was observed, suggesting that sacrouterine ligament which plays a crucial role for restoring normal pelvic anatomy and support for genital organs, could be more affected from menopause rather than other pelvic tissues.
Subgroups of relational job characteristics and their differences in turnover intention and subjective well-being among nurses: a latent profile analysis
Authors: Chen Yi-ping , Li Yifei , Zhang Jie , Li Juan , Yang Xiu-fen , Xiong Lile , Xia Guili , Zhang Jingping
Published: October 2023

Objective
Relational job characteristics include perceived social worth and perceived social influence. Good relational job characteristics mean that nurses have high prosocial behavior. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential profile of nurses’ relational job characteristics, influencing factors and their differences in turnover intention and subjective well-being, thus finding the most suitable clinical relationship job characteristics.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1013 clinical nurses using the general demographic data questionnaire, Relational Job Characteristics scale, Turnover Intention Questionnaire and Campbell index of well-being. A latent profile analysis was performed to explore relational job characteristics latent profiles. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictors of profile membership, and a one-way analysis of variance was applied to compare the turnover intention and subjective well-being in each latent profile.
Results
Five latent profiles were identified and labeled ‘High prosocial job characteristics’ profile (20.7%), ‘Moderate prosocial job characteristics’ profile (41.7%), ‘High social worth-low social impact perceived’ profile (6.3%), ‘Low social worth‐high social impact perceived’ profile (18.8%) and ‘Low prosocial job characteristics’ profile (12.5%). Factors affecting the different types of nurse relationship work characteristics include age, marital status, hospital department, nursing years, professional title and hospital position. Among them, chief nurse, nurses with more than 20 years of nursing experience and obstetrics and gynecology nurses were more likely to be ‘high prosocial job characteristics’ profile. The turnover intention of nurses in ‘high prosocial job characteristics’ profile was significantly lower than that of other profiles, and their subjective well-being was significantly higher than that of other profiles.
Conclusion
Improving nurses’ perception of social worth and social impact on clinical work can improve nurses’ prosocial behavior and subjective well-being, and reduce their turnover intention. Nursing managers or policy makers can formulate targeted intervention measures according to the influencing factors of potential profiles.
Contribution to an Automated Contradiction Detection in Complex Specification Sheets
Authors: Gärtner Alexander Elenga , Göhlich Dietmar
Published: October 2023

This paper presents an automated contradiction detection system for formal requirements written in controlled natural language. The proposed method merges formal logic and large language models (LLMs), offering an innovative approach to detecting and classifying contradictions. We expand upon a previously developed taxonomy of contradictions, using a set of seven inquiries represented in a decision tree model. This model forms the foundation of our hybrid approach, enabling the system to identify the presence and type of contradiction within a specification sheet comprising many requirements. A comparative study between our approach and an LLM-only method reveals the former's superior performance while highlighting certain limitations in both. The dataset used for the evaluation consists of real-world requirements. The paper underscores the value of the hybrid approach, advocating for its scalability and adaptability and suggesting future research directions in model customization and dataset labeling. This work contributes significantly to fully automated contradiction detection in formal requirements, and we are setting the stage for more sophisticated reasoning systems applying artificial intelligence in product development.
“We usually see a lot of delay in terms of coming for or seeking care”: an expert consultation on COVID testing and care pathways in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Bonnet Gabrielle , Bimba John , Chavula Chancy , Chifamba Harunavamwe N. , Divala Titus , Lescano Andres G. , Majam Mohammed , Mbo Danjuma , Suwantika Auliya A. , Tovar Marco A. , Yadav Pragya , Corbett Elisabeth L. , Vassall Anna , Jit Mark
Published: October 2023

Background: Rapid diagnostic testing may support improved treatment of COVID patients. Understanding COVID testing and care pathways is important for assessing the impact and cost-effectiveness of testing in the real world, yet there is limited information on these pathways in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). We therefore undertook an expert consultation to better understand testing policies and practices, clinical screening, the profile of patients seeking testing or care, linkage to care after testing, treatment, lessons learnt and expected changes in 2023 in LMICs.
Methods: We organized a qualitative consultation with ten experts from seven LMICs identified through purposive sampling. We conducted structured interviews during six regional consultations, and undertook a thematic analysis of the responses to our questions.
Results: Participants reported that, after initial efforts to scale-up testing (which often encountered delays), the policy priority given to COVID testing has declined. Comorbidities putting patients at heightened risk (e.g., diabetes) mainly relied on self-identification. The decision to test following clinical screening was highly context- and location-specific, often dictated by local epidemiology and test availability. When rapid diagnostic tests were available, public sector healthcare providers tended to rely on them for diagnosis, while private sector providers predominantly used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Positive test results were generally taken at ‘face value’ by clinicians, although negative tests with a high index of suspicion may be confirmed with PCR. However, even with a positive result, patients were not always linked to care in a timely manner because of reluctance to receiving care or delays in returning to care centres upon clinical deterioration. Countries often lacked multiple components of the range of therapeutics advised in WHO guidelines: notably so for oral antivirals designed for high-risk mild patients. Severely ill patients mostly received corticosteroids and, in higher-resourced settings, tocilizumab.
Conclusions: Testing does not always prompt enhanced care, due to reluctance on the part of patients and limited therapeutic availability within clinical settings. Any analysis of the impact or cost-effectiveness of testing policies post pandemic needs to either consider investment in optimal treatment pathways or constrain estimates of benefits based on actual practice.
Estimating actual SARS-CoV-2 infections from secondary data
Authors: Rauch Wolfgang , Schenk Hannes , Rauch Nikolaus , Harders Mathias , Oberacher Herbert , Insam Heribert , Markt Rudolf , Kreuzinger Norbert
Published: October 2023

Eminent in pandemic management is accurate information on infection dynamics to plan for timely installation of control measures and vaccination campaigns. Despite huge efforts in clinical testing of individuals, the underestimation of the actual number of SARS-CoV-2 infections remains significant due to the large number of undocumented cases. In this paper we demonstrate and compare three methods to estimate the dynamics of true infections based on secondary data i.e., a) test positivity b) infection fatality and c) wastewater monitoring. The concept is tested with Austrian data on a national basis for the period of April 2020 to December 2022. Further, we use the results of prevalence studies from the same period to generate (upper and lower bounds of) credible intervals for true infections for four data points. Model parameters are subsequently estimated by applying Approximate Bayesian Computation – rejection sampling and Genetic Algorithms. The method is then validated for the case study Vienna. We find that all three methods yield fairly similar results for estimating the true number of infections, which supports the idea that all three datasets contain similar baseline information. None of them is considered superior, as their advantages and shortcomings depend on the specific case study at hand.
A Novel Multistage Controller for Load Frequency Control of a Multi-Area Network Integrated with Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Abah David Enemali , Shehu Gaddafi Sani , Abubakar Adamu Saidu , Salisu Sani
Published: October 2023

Recently, renewable energy sources (RESs) are strongly being integrated into power systems due to environmental, and economic benefits due to the deregulation of the energy market. The stochastic behavior of the load and the intermittent nature of RES creates frequency variation in interconnected hybrid power systems. This paper proposed the use of a novel multistage controller, proportional derivative filter type with a 0.85 proportional integral controller PDF+(0.85 + PI) for Load frequency control (LFC). The controller has two sections, the first section deals with a filter-connected PD controller, while the second stage deals with a 0.85 + PI controller employed to maintain the speed of response by overcoming steady-state error and establishing system stability. The PDF+(0.85 + PI) controller gains are optimized using the Grasshopper optimization algorithm. Three different scenarios were investigated. In the first scenario, all system nonlinearities including the Governor DeadBand (GDB) and Generation rate constraint (GRC) were disabled to compare the performance of the suggested controller to other heuristic-based controllers. In the second scenario, the system nonlinearities are activated and the performance with other technique are compared. Finally, the system RESs were included to test the robustness of the controller. The first and second scenarios are compared with the Salp swarm algorithm-based-PID (SSA-PID) controller and the Genetic algorithm-based-PID (GA-PID) controller whilst in the third scenario the dynamic response fluctuation is within the allowable bounds of 0.2Hz. The proposed controller provides superior dynamic system response with the significant performance of an average value of 72.35%, 36.07%, and 49.68% at scenario 1 and 28.16%, 20.31%, and 38.9% at scenario 2 in terms of settling time in change in frequency deviation at area 1, 2, and power tie-line.