bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential contributors to variation in weight‐loss response to liraglutide
Authors: Webster Chelsi M. , Mittal Neha , Dhurandhar Emily J. , Dhurandhar Nikhil V.
Published: April 2023

Obesity treatment requires a chronic state of negative energy balance. Obesity medications can help with this, increasing long‐term dietary compliance by promoting satiety or reducing hunger. However, efficacy and safety of obesity medications vary for individuals. Early identification of non‐responders to obesity medications may limit drug exposure while optimizing benefits for responders. This review summarizes factors that impact weight‐loss response to liraglutide. Factors linked to greater weight loss on liraglutide include being female, not having diabetes, having relatively high baseline weight, and losing at least 4% of initial weight after 16 weeks of treatment. Other covariates that may predict treatment response but require further confirmation include central effects, nausea, gastric emptying of solids, and genotype. Baseline body mass index, race, and age seem less relevant for predicting weight‐loss response to liraglutide. Lesser known and harder‐to‐measure factors such as cerebral blood flow, food cue reactivity, gut hormone levels, and dietary adherence possibly impact variability of response to liraglutide. This information should assist healthcare providers with establishing realistic weight‐loss probability for individual patients. Future research should improve the ability to identify responders to liraglutide. Importantly, this review may provide a framework to identify responders to other obesity medications.
Nondestructive determination of carotenoids in kiwifruit leaves infected with Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with chemical imaging
Authors: Jiang Lingli , Zhang Yufeng , Kang Chao , Zhao Zhibo , Chen Dongmei , Long Youhua
Published: April 2023

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a noninvasive and nondestructive technique, was used to distinguish healthy and cankered kiwifruit leaves. Silver nanoparticles with iodide and calcium ions (Ag@ICNPs) were synthesized as SERS substrates and significantly enhanced the characteristic signal peaks of carotenoids. Due to its simple operation and high sensitivity, the detection process is straightforward and efficient. Using a 532 nm laser excitation source, spectra were collected from the leaf surface over a wavelength range of 400–2000 cm−1, and the characteristic carotenoid peak at 1520 cm−1 was selected for integral imaging. Detection of changes in carotenoid spectral characteristics on the surface of kiwifruit leaves could be used as an early warning of kiwifruit canker. Raman spectroscopy and high‐performance liquid chromatography confirmed the existence of two main carotenoids, lutein and β‐carotene, and their intensity changed significantly following infection, especially in the later stages of infection. The results of principal component analysis and support vector machine (SVM) analysis of preprocessed spectra showed that samples of healthy, early disease and advanced disease leaves clustered separately, and the accuracy of SVM classification was up to 98%. The results of chemical imaging showed that the average carotenoid signal decreased with extended incubation time and there were significant differences among healthy, early disease and advanced disease stages. Therefore, SERS can be used as a general tool for in situ nondestructive determination of surface carotenoid changes in kiwifruit leaves during disease, and thereby effectively monitor the nutritional quality of kiwifruit before harvest.
Unbracketing the multiplicity of trauma in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Taylor Stephen , Mavinga Laurent , Bashiga Moise
Published: April 2023

As international health organizations have increasingly acknowledged the global burden of psychological trauma, global health experts have sought to appraise and organize the treatment of trauma through objective, neutral forms of classification and calculation. Rather than see trauma as a singular thing whose biological, social and psychological formation is bracketed by expert perspectives, this paper focuses on how psychological trauma is enacted—that is, brought into being and sustained—in particular contexts and practices. If trauma can be made and unmade in practices, rather than assumed to be a stable thing, then these practices become a matter of concern rather than fact for geographers. We take as our empirical focus the province of North Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where trauma has become a matter of growing local, national and international concern. Working with and beyond the conceptual work of Annemarie Mol, we demonstrate how different ‘versions’ of trauma uneasily co‐exist in the region. Interrogating these versions, we explore the tensions that arise from attempting to explain and summate the incidence of trauma that is not singular or stable but is, instead, emergent and enacted in a variety of practices.
The novel HLA‐C*12:368 allele, identified by Sanger dideoxy nucleotide sequencing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Chen Lie‐Guang , Jiang Cong‐Fa , Zheng Zhong‐Zheng , Du Ke‐Ming , Ouyang Gui‐Fang
Published: April 2023

HLA‐C*12:368 differs from HLA‐C*12:03:01:01 by one nucleotide in exon 4.
Delayed Leukoreduction of whole blood with a platelet‐sparing filter to increase low‐titer group O whole blood production in the United States
Authors: Wellington Michael , Feldman Tamar Perla , Cleeton Stephanie , Sawyer Sherrie , Brown Bethany L.
Published: April 2023

Background

Demand for low‐titer Group O whole blood (LTOWB) is increasing for trauma. The whole blood (WB) platelet‐sparing (WB‐SP) filter enables leukoreduction (LR) while retaining platelet quantity and function; however, in the United States WB must be filtered and placed in the cold within 8 h of collection. A longer processing window would facilitate improved logistics and supply of LR‐WB to meet the growing medical need. This study evaluated the impact of increasing filtration timing from <8 h to <12 h on the quality of LR‐WB.

Study Design and Methods

Thirty WB units were collected from healthy donors. Control units were filtered within 8 h and test units within 12 h of collection. WB was tested throughout 21 days of storage. Hemolysis, WBC content, component recovery, and 25 additional markers of WB quality were tested including hematologic and metabolic markers, RBC morphology, aggregometry, thromboelastography, and p‐selectin.

Results

There were 0 failures for residual WBC content, hemolysis, or pH, and no differences in component recovery between arms. Few differences in metabolic parameters were observed, but the small effect size suggests these are not clinically significant. Trends throughout storage were similar and filtration timing did not impact hematological parameters, platelet activation and aggregation, or hemostatic capacity.

Conclusion

Our studies showed that extending filtration timing from 8 to 12 h from the collection does not significantly impact the quality of LR‐WB. Characterization of the platelets demonstrated that storage lesions were not exacerbated. Extending the time from collection to filtration will improve LTOWB inventory in the United States.
Accuracy of pin placement in the canine thoracolumbar spine using a free‐hand probing technique versus 3D‐printed patient‐specific drill guides: An ex‐vivo study
Authors: Mullins Ronan A. , Espinel Ruperéz Jorge , Bleedorn Jason , Hoey Seamus , Hetzel Scott , Ortega Cristina , Kraus Karl H. , Guevar Julien
Published: April 2023

Objective

To compare pin placement accuracy, intraoperative technique deviations, and duration of pin placement for pins placed by free‐hand probing (FHP) or 3D‐printed drill guide (3DPG) technique.

Sample population

Four greyhound cadavers.

Methods

Computed tomography (CT) examinations from T6‐sacrum were obtained for determination of optimal pin placement and 3DPG creation. Two 3.2/2.4‐mm positive profile pins were inserted per vertebra, one left and one right from T7–L7 (FHP [n = 56]; 3DPG [n = 56]) by one surgeon and removed for repeat CT. Duration of pin placement and intraoperative deviations (unanticipated deviations from planned technique) were recorded. Pin tracts were graded by two blinded observers using modified Zdichavsky classification. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

A total of 54/56 pins placed with 3DPGs were assigned grade I (optimal placement) compared with 49/56 pins using the FHP technique. A total of 2/56 pins placed with 3DPGs and 3/56 pins using the FHP technique were assigned grade IIa (partial medial violation). A total of 4/56 pins placed using the FHP technique were assigned grade IIIa (partial lateral violation). No pins were assigned grade IIb (full medial violation). Intraoperative technique deviations occurred with 6/56 pins placed using the FHP technique and no pins with 3DPGs. Overall, pins were placed faster (mean ± SD 2.6 [1.3] vs. 4.5 [1.8] min) with 3DPGs.

Conclusions

Both techniques were accurate for placement of spinal fixation pins. The 3DPG technique may decrease intraoperative deviations and duration of pin placement.

Clinical relevance

Both techniques allow accurate pin placement in the canine thoracolumbar spine. The FHP technique requires specific training and has learning curve, whereas 3DPG technique requires specific software and 3D printers.
Blend of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Quercetin Improves Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan Membrane for Wound Dressing Application
Authors: Baktehir Nurul Huda , Mohamed Arbi Mohamad Ajma’in , Selvaras Thiviya , Ismail Norjihada Izzah
Published: April 2023

Although wound dressings are essential to protect wound from infection, these wound care products have limited function in facilitating wound healing. This study aimed to synthesize multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/quercetin (QUE)/chitosan (CS) blended composite membrane and analyze their physicochemical properties for wound dressing application in comparison to the pure chitosan (CS) membrane. The MWCNT/QUE/CS blended membranes were prepared by mixing CS, QUE and MWCNT at a ratio of 3:1:1 using a solvent casting method. The membranes were analyzed physicochemically for their surface morphology, elemental composition, structural composition, wettability, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and swelling properties and were compared to the pure CS membrane. The findings pointed out that the blend of MWCNTs and QUE in the CS matrix produces a membrane with uneven and more hydrophilic surface with water contact angle of 64.70°± 3.7 and low WVTR of 16.26 g/m2.day after 24 h. The swelling analysis showed that the blended membrane was able to absorb more than 60% of water within 10 minutes, although lower than the pure CS membrane. This study revealed that MWCNT/QUE/CS blended membrane could possibly be used as a wound dressing as it may promote moist environment needed for wound healing in addition to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties that may accelerate wound healing process.
The Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Sonneratia ovata Back
Authors: Astuti Maria Dewi , Rosyidah Kholifatu , Umaningrum Dewi , Ardiyanti Ratna , Johan Abd. Rasyied Hanan , Azzahra Aisyah Puteri
Published: April 2023

The antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Sonneratia ovata Back, a mangrove plant, were investigated in this study. Methanol was used to extract the leaf, fruit, stem bark, and root of S. ovata Back. The antioxidant assay was conducted using the scavenging radical DPPH, and the total phenolic content was measured following the Folin Ciaocalteu method. Methanol extract from leaves of S. ovata Back presented the highest antioxidant activity than stem bark, root, and fruit. The IC50 were 4.07 mg/L, 25.94 mg/L, 100.94 mg/L, and 195.83 mg/L, respectively. The total phenolic content of leaf (52.00 mgGAE/g) was higher than fruit (14.06 mgGAE/g). This study suggested that the methanolic leaf extract of S. ovata Back contained a potential source of natural antioxidants more than the other parts.
Antimicrobial Activity of Syzygium polyanthum Wight (Walp.) Extract against Foodborne Pathogens in Food: A Potential Antimicrobial Agent for Natural Food Washing Solution
Authors: Ramli Suzita , Wong Jun Xian , Rukayadi Yaya
Published: April 2023

Developments of natural preservatives derived from plant sources instead of chemical preservatives are gaining more attention nowadays. In this study, the effect of Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp.] leaves extract against foodborne pathogens on raw chicken meat and cherry tomato was evaluated using the method of washing treatment by extract solution. Results found that Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp. leaves extract have significant effect (P <0.05) in reduction of foodborne pathogens in all tested food samples at 5 mg/mL of extract for 5 min soaking period. Moreover, S. polyanthum extract (10 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml) able to reduce yeast, mould and E. coli in raw meat chicken after storing at 4 ± 2°C for 5 days and reduce Pseudomonas species in cherry tomato after storing for 15 days at 4 ± 2°C. Antimicrobial property of S. polyanthum might be due to the presence of pyrogallol, β-Sitosterol, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, gallic acid, bergenin, quercetin 3-(6''-galloylgalactoside), madecassic acid, quillaic acid and asiatic acid that were detected by GC-MS and LC-MS. In conclusion, S. polyanthum extract exhibited antimicrobial activity, thus it has potential to be developed as antimicrobial agent for natural food washing solution.
Prospect of Direct Dimethyl Ether Production from CO2: Reactor Design Development
Authors: Khairul Nizam Nurul Aina Syahirah , Abdul Razak Nurina Adriana , Othman Nur Hidayati , Mat Shayuti Muhammad Shafiq , Marpani Fauziah , Alias Nur Hashimah , Shahruddin Munawar Zaman , Soh Wei Kian , Kadirkhan Farahdila
Published: April 2023

The increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile hydrocarbons via burning of fossil fuels result in a significant amount of global warming and air pollution. With the concern over the impact of fossil fuel to the environment, the interest in alternative fuel production from the CO2 generated through utilization of new technologies has risen rapidly. Several clean alternative fuels, including dimethyl ether (DME) have been investigated for a more sustainable and greener environment. DME has a high cetane number but produces much lower NOx emission upon combustion. DME is typically synthesized using syngas based on conventional indirect DME route, where the process begins with conversion of syngas into methanol and subsequently dehydrated to DME in separate units. Recently, a direct single-step route to produce DME through dehydrogenation of CO2 and dehydration of methanol by utilising a novel bifunctional catalyst has been investigated. In direct DME, the dehydrogenation and dehydration occur simultaneously in a single reactor, which eliminate the need for a methanol production plant. However, the use of conventional fixed-bed reactor (FBR) for the direct DME synthesis causes many challenges including catalyst deactivation, where water appears in the reaction area, limiting the conversion of CO2 reactants into DME and consequently, the DME yield. It is also essential to manage the exothermic heat generated from the catalyst for better DME yield. In order to overcome these hurdles, several types of reactors have been proposed such as fluidized bed reactor, slurry reactor, microreactor and catalytic membrane reactor. In this paper, different types of reactors are first discussed and its applications related to the direct DME production from CO2 are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and difficulties of reactor development are addressed and future direction is outlined.
Transition Intensities for Critical Illness: A Study on Canadian Health Data
Authors: Neoh Beng Eik , Sim Kai An , Chan Lay Guat , Ho Chee Kit
Published: April 2023

Multiple state model is a mathematical model which is characterised by two important elements, transition intensity and transition probability. Critical illness has increased rapidly which is alarmed by the healthcare experts, and becoming an important concern in society. In this paper, by using the Canadian health data, we provide an estimation of transition intensities from the healthy state to the critical illness state with the application of prevalence rate. We provide a discrete calculation of transition intensities with some mathematical formula discussed by some previous studies. Next, we assume that the transition intensities of critical illnesses and death due to other causes are modelled by Gompertz and Makeham mortality models. We also compare and estimate the transition intensities of critical illnesses and dead due to other causes between these two models using a model selection method. We observe the sensitivity of the Gompertz and Makeham models with the different values of extra mortality . Lastly, we obtain and present the numerical results of the transition intensities of healthy lives to critical illness with the Canadian health data.
Sums of triples in Abelian groups
Authors: Feldman Ido , Rinot Assaf
Published: April 2023

Motivated by a problem in additive Ramsey theory, we extend Todorčević's partitions of three‐dimensional combinatorial cubes to handle additional three‐dimensional objects. As a corollary, we get that if the continuum hypothesis fails, then for every Abelian group G of size ℵ2, there exists a coloring such that for every uncountable and every integer k, there are three distinct elements of X such that .
A Quick Buck: An Early Licensed Whisky Distillery at Blackmiddens Farm in the Cabrach
Authors:   University of the Highlands and Islands, Bratt Darroch , Bye-Jensen Peter ,   VejleMuseerne, Denmark
Published: April 2023

Blackmiddens Farm distillery, also known as Buck distillery, has recently been the focus of historical research and excavation. At the time of the first season of fieldwork Blackmiddens/Buck was the only farm distillery to have been excavated in the Highlands and Islands. The site represents a short-lived period of distilling in the Scottish Highlands in which whisky-making operated in a legitimate commercial capacity but as a complement to a larger agricultural unit. The excavation of Blackmiddens and historical research into it and the distilleries in the surrounding area have given us an insight into this short but vital transitional phase in the history of whisky-making in the region.
Evolución de la investigación contable en Chile: Revisión a 20 años de trabajo y perspectivas futuras
Authors: Silva Palavecinos Berta , Mellado Silva Rafael
Published: April 2023

Este artículo presenta la evolución de la investigación contable en Chile, a partir del análisis de las publicaciones realizadas por investigadores chilenos en revistas indexadas en Web of Science (WoS) o Scopus desde los años 1999 a 2020 y de los artículos aceptados en la Conferencia Académica Permanente de Investigación Contable (CAPIC) entre los años 2007 a 2020. Se muestra el análisis sobre la cantidad de publicaciones y cómo esta ha evolucionado en el tiempo, junto a los ejes de las distintas revistas que han sido parte de la selección de los investigadores para publicar sus estudios. Los resultados demuestran una mayor penetración de los estudios chilenos en revistas de alto impacto a través de los años, lo cual genera una mayor presencia internacional. En relación con la conferencia CAPIC se busca conocer el aporte que hacen los autores dependiendo del país, de la universidad de afiliación, género y nivel de asociatividad. En los trabajos aceptados en la CAPIC, el área temática mayormente estudiada es la Educación Contable. Salvo en tres años, la participación de mujeres es menor que la de hombres. Las universidades con mayor participación en CAPIC, en el período estudiado, son colombianas y argentinas.
La investigación contable universitaria en Argentina
Authors: Verón Carmen Stella , Marcolini Silvina Beatriz , Sader Gustavo
Published: April 2023

La investigación científica en Argentina ha sido históricamente sostenida con recursos del Estado y ha tenido dos bases institucionales fundamentales: las universidades nacionales y el Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (Conicet). La investigación contable se desarrolla en este contexto, y tiene alcances y limitaciones propias, pues se desarrolla en las instituciones universitarias.

El objetivo de este artículo es presentar el estado de la investigación contable en Argentina, los ámbitos en los que se desarrolla y la divulgación de sus resultados en revistas científicas, a partir de una investigación exploratoria de tipo documental.

Los resultados encontrados muestran una escasa producción en los proyectos y programas de investigación, y pocos trabajos finales de las carreras de posgrado. Por su parte, la revisión de las revistas argentinas seleccionadas muestra escasos artículos contables publicados, mayoritariamente del tipo conceptual, con temáticas diversas, y con una fuerte presencia de autores argentinos. Estos resultados confirman que la investigación contable en Argentina se encuentra en un estado inicial y que requiere de políticas institucionales que apoyen y reconozcan adecuadamente la labor de investigación del profesor universitario.
Investigación y formación contable en Ecuador. Una aproximación a su realidad actual
Authors: Mantilla Falcón Marcelo , Urbina Núñez Alis
Published: April 2023

En la actualidad, la preocupación académica por el conocimiento de la realidad contable a nivel mundial cobra mayor importancia. Sin embargo, no todos los países prestan la misma atención al conocimiento, dinámica y comportamiento de la Contabilidad como ciencia y como práctica profesional. Este es el caso de Ecuador, donde esta se considera un corpus normativo y no una ciencia que cuenta con una ontología y epistemología por fortalecer en términos de investigación y generación de conocimiento. El propósito del presente estudio es comprender la dinámica de la investigación contable ecuatoriana en cuanto a producción científica, investigación, formación y práctica profesional. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo, no experimental, longitudinal, basado en investigación documental y bibliográfica con carácter explicativo. Los resultados evidencian la escasa o nula atención, por parte de la academia, a la investigación contable. Se evidenciaron algunos estudios aislados y particulares que abordan, de manera tangencial, el conocimiento de una realidad necesaria y útil para el fortalecimiento de la ciencia en esta disciplina. Se concluye que el estado de la investigación en el área, en Ecuador, es incipiente en términos de redes de investigación, comunidades de estudio contables, semilleros de investigación, grupos de discusión, etc. Lo cual es demostrable en la escasa producción científica y generación de conocimiento, que solo se enfoca en la investigación formativa involucrada en los trabajos de grado o nivel.
The proliferation of human mucosal-associated invariant T cells requires a MYC-SLC7A5-glycolysis metabolic axis
Authors: Kedia-Mehta Nidhi , Pisarska Marta M. , Rollings Christina , O’Neill Chloe , De Barra Conor , Foley Cathriona , Wood Nicole A. W. , Wrigley-Kelly Neil , Veerapen Natacha , Besra Gurdyal , Bergin Ronan , Jones Nicholas , O’Shea Donal , Sinclair Linda V. , Hogan Andrew E.
Published: April 2023

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are an abundant population of innate T cells that recognize bacterial ligands and play a key role in host protection against bacterial and viral pathogens. Upon activation, MAIT cells undergo proliferative expansion and increase their production of effector molecules such as cytokines. In this study, we found that both mRNA and protein abundance of the key metabolism regulator and transcription factor MYC was increased in stimulated MAIT cells. Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we identified the activation of two MYC-controlled metabolic pathways, amino acid transport and glycolysis, both of which were necessary for MAIT cell proliferation. Last, we showed that MAIT cells isolated from people with obesity showed decreased
MYC
mRNA abundance upon activation, which was associated with defective MAIT cell proliferation and functional responses. Collectively, our data uncover the importance of MYC-regulated metabolism for MAIT cell proliferation and provide additional insight into the molecular basis for the functional defects of MAIT cells in obesity.
Oct1 cooperates with the Smad family of transcription factors to promote mesodermal lineage specification
Authors: Perovanovic Jelena , Wu Yifan , Abewe Hosiana , Shen Zuolian , Hughes Erik P. , Gertz Jason , Chandrasekharan Mahesh B. , Tantin Dean
Published: April 2023

The transition between pluripotent and tissue-specific states is a key aspect of development. Understanding the pathways driving these transitions will facilitate the engineering of properly differentiated cells for experimental and therapeutic uses. Here, we showed that during mesoderm differentiation, the transcription factor Oct1 activated developmental lineage–appropriate genes that were silent in pluripotent cells. Using mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with an inducible knockout of Oct1, we showed that Oct1 deficiency resulted in poor induction of mesoderm-specific genes, leading to impaired mesodermal and terminal muscle differentiation. Oct1-deficient cells exhibited poor temporal coordination of the induction of lineage-specific genes and showed inappropriate developmental lineage branching, resulting in poorly differentiated cell states retaining epithelial characteristics. In ESCs, Oct1 localized with the pluripotency factor Oct4 at mesoderm-associated genes and remained bound to those loci during differentiation after the dissociation of Oct4. Binding events for Oct1 overlapped with those for the histone lysine demethylase Utx, and an interaction between Oct1 and Utx suggested that these two proteins cooperate to activate gene expression. The specificity of the ubiquitous Oct1 for the induction of mesodermal genes could be partially explained by the frequent coexistence of Smad and Oct binding sites at mesoderm-specific genes and the cooperative stimulation of mesodermal gene transcription by Oct1 and Smad3. Together, these results identify Oct1 as a key mediator of mesoderm lineage–specific gene induction.
Rational Design of
Meso
-Diaminopimelate Dehydrogenase with Enhanced Reductive Amination Activity for Efficient Production of
d
-
p
-Hydroxyphenylglycine
Authors: Tan Yang , Gao Changzheng , Song Wei , Wei Wanqing , Liu Jia , Gao Cong , Guo Liang , Chen Xiulai , Liu Liming , Wu Jing
Published: April 2023

d
-
p
-hydroxyphenylglycine (
d
-HPG) is an important intermediate in the synthesis of antimicrobial compounds.
d
-HPG is mainly produced via chemical and enzymatic approaches, and enzymatic asymmetric amination employing diaminopimelate dehydrogenase (DAPDH) is considered an attractive method.
Independent Effects of HIV and Antiretroviral Therapy on the Oral Microbiome Identified by Multivariate Analyses
Authors: Beall Clifford J. , Lilly Elizabeth A. , Granada Carolina , Treas Kelly , Dubois Kenneth R. , Hashmi Shahr B. , Vazquez Jose A. , Hagensee Michael E. , Griffen Ann L. , Leys Eugene J. , Fidel Paul L.
Published: April 2023

The oral microbiome can be an important predictor of health and disease. For persons living with HIV (PLWH), HIV and highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) may have a significant influence on their oral microbiome.
Experiences of Palestinian patients with hospital services: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Takruri Adel , Radwan Mahmoud , El Jabari Carol , Nawajah Inad , Hassan Sahar
Published: April 2023

Background

This study aimed at assessing patient experiences with hospital services and key factors associated with better experiences.

Methods

The study design is cross-sectional supported by qualitative interviews. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) was used as data collection instrument. A convenience sample of 391 volunteers aged ≥18 years participated in this study. Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients and healthcare providers to further enrich and explain the quantitative results.

Results

The average age of the sample was 41.34, SD (16.4), range (18–87). Females represented 61.9% of the whole sample. Almost 75% were from the West Bank and 25% from the Gaza Strip. The majority of respondents reported that doctors and nurses were respectful, listened to them and explained clearly to them always or most of the time. Only 29.4% of respondents were given written information about the symptoms they may have after discharge from the hospital. Factors that were independently associated with higher scores on the HCAHPS scale were; being females (coef: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.157 to 1.587, p=0.017), being healthy (coef: −1.58, 95% CI: −2.458 to −0.706, p=0.000), being with high financial status (coef: 1.51, 95% CI: 0.437 to 2.582, p=0.006), being from Gaza (coef: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.484 to 2.408, p=0.003) and who visited hospitals outside of Palestine (coef: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.812 to 4.934, p=0.000). Overcrowding, weak organisational and management processes, and inadequate supply of goods, medicines, and equipment were reported factors impeding quality services via in-depth interviews.

Conclusions

The overall hospital experiences of Palestinian patients were moderate but varied significantly based on patients’ factors such as sex, health status, financial status and residency as well as by hospital type. Hospitals in Palestine should invest more in improving their services including communications with patients, the hospital environment and communication with patients.
Vibration analysis of a cracked beam using the finite element method
Authors: Long Hui , Liu Yilun , Liu Kefu
Published: April 2023

This study is motivated by the condition monitoring and fault diagnostics of structural beams used in large-scale vibrating screens for the mining industry. For the purpose of developing a reliable model-based approach, a new stiffness matrix of a three-dimensional finite element is proposed for modelling a beam with a breathing crack. Using the obtained stiffness matrix, a finite element model was derived for a cracked beam subjected to a bidirectional base excitation. With the model, a computer simulation was conducted to examine the influence of the crack depth on the natural frequencies of the beam. The numerical results show that the crack influences mainly the natural frequencies of the bending modes in the direction of the crack's growth. The simulation also investigates the responses of the beam subjected to a harmonic base excitation in two directions. The numerical results show that the responses of the cracked beam contain several superharmonic components, and the amplitude of superharmonic components increases with the increase in crack depth. Experiments are conducted to validate the proposed dynamic model using both impact testing and forced testing.
The computation of the average speckle size from the point spread function for triangular apertures
Authors: Hamed A. M.
Published: April 2023

We suggest triangular aperture modeling for the computation of speckle size using the point spread function (PSF) concept. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm indicates three models of triangular apertures in the point spread function (PSF) computation. We calculated for the first time the average speckle size from the full width at half maximum (FWHM) for the triangular apertures in the PSF. The results are compared with the speckle sizes results obtained from the autocorrelation of speckle images corresponding to the considered models showed an agreement. In the analysis, I consider the 1st model with four equilateral triangular apertures, each of equal sides (b), along the Cartesian coordinates at equal distances from the center (xd). In the 2nd model, I assume 16 triangular apertures in a circular contour. In contrast, in the 3rd model, a sequence of six equilateral triangular black and white (B/W) zones is shown where the central triangle is black. I consider central obstruction to attenuate the low spatial frequency in the PSF. I take a transparent triangular aperture for comparison. Also, the PSF corresponding to the circular aperture is given for comparison. In addition, reconstructed images of apertures from the speckle images are obtained. We considered MATLAB codes for all the computations and plots.
Data-centric Networking with Parallel and Distributed Architecture Performs Performance Analysis to Protect Critical Infrastructure in the Future Power System Network Based on IoT
Authors: Xie Linjiang , Hang Feilu , Guo Wei , Zhang Zhenhong , Li Hanruo
Published: April 2023

Modern information and communication technologies are being incorporated into traditional power grid systems to create the smart grid of the real world. The newly provided information flow and intrinsic creation, transport, storage, and the use of electricity are all facilitated by the energy transfer, especially as the complete deployment of the Internet of Things in the power grid, also known as the power Internet of Things (PIoT). These new 5G technologies and the value generated by novel services and market processes can all be used to maximize the value of scarce resources like energy. This paper develops a framework for a cyber-physical power system based on IoT (CPPS-IoT). Automobiles, aircraft, defense, factory equipment, wellness equipment, industrial control, connected cars, and other sectors and industries are all benefiting from the fast growth of CPS technology. A smart electric grid is created when dispersed sources of energy and electrical infrastructure are linked together to provide global exchange of information, sensible decision, including true flexible control using the CPPS. Cyber-physical systems have great benefits because they combine IoT with physical processes and mediate how humans interact with the natural environment. Cyber-physical systems use sensor networks and embedded computers to keep tabs on and manipulate the physical world around them. They include built-in feedback loops that enable the environment to trigger their communication, control, or processing. The proposed method makes systems safer and more efficient, decreasing the cost of developing and running these systems. The accuracy is 89%, and the proposed method’s error rate is 48%.
Noncommutative spacetime and the PeV photons from Crab
Authors: Mendes R. Vilela
Published: April 2023

Considering the visible and the PeV photons from SN1054 to be emitted at similar times at the source, one estimates the value of a fundamental time constant [Formula: see text] arising in the noncommutative spacetime formulation.
The maximum pre-period property of the direct product of chains
Authors: Charoenpol Aveya , Chotwattakawanit Udom
Published: April 2023

The pre-period of a finite algebra is the maximum pre-period of its endomorphisms. We know that the pre-period of any finite modular lattice is less than or equal to the length of the lattice. A finite modular lattice is said to have the maximum pre-period property (MPP) if its pre-period and its length are equal. In this paper, we study MPP of the direct product of chains.
Cross-lingual Sentence Embedding for Low-resource Chinese-Vietnamese Based on Contrastive Learning
Authors: Huang Yuxin , Liang Yin , Wu Zhaoyuan , Zhu Enchang , Yu Zhengtao
Published: April 2023

Cross-lingual sentence embedding’s goal is mapping sentences with similar semantics but in different languages close together and dissimilar sentences farther apart in the representation space. It is the basis of many downstream tasks such as cross-lingual document matching and cross-lingual summary extraction. At present, the works of cross-lingual sentence embedding tasks mainly focus on languages with large-scale corpus. But low-resource languages such as Chinese-Vietnamese are short of sentence-level parallel corpora and clear cross-lingual monitoring signals, and these works on low-resource languages have poor performances. Therefore, we propose a cross-lingual sentence embedding method based on contrastive learning and effectively fine-tune powerful pretraining mode by constructing sentence-level positive and negative samples to avoid the catastrophic forgetting problem of the traditional fine-tuning pre-trained model based only on small-scale aligned positive samples. First, we construct positive and negative examples by taking parallel Chinese Vietnamese sentences as positive examples and non-parallel sentences as negative examples. Second, we construct a siamese network to get contrastive loss by inputting positive and negative samples and fine-tuning our model. The experimental results show that our method can effectively improve the semantic alignment accuracy of cross-lingual sentence embedding in Chinese and Vietnamese contexts.
Jointly Optimizing Job Assignment and Resource Partitioning for Improving System Throughput in Cloud Datacenters
Authors: Chen Ruobing , Shi Haosen , Wu Jinping , Li Yusen , Liu Xiaoguang , Wang Gang
Published: April 2023

Colocating multiple jobs on the same server has been widely applied for improving resource utilization in cloud datacenters. However, the colocated jobs would contend for the shared resources, which could lead to significant performance degradation. An efficient approach for eliminating performance interference is to partition the shared resources among the colocated jobs. However, this makes the resource management in datacenters very challenging. In this paper, we propose JointOPT, the first resource management framework that optimizes job assignment and resource partitioning jointly for improving the throughput of cloud datacenters. JointOPT uses a local search based algorithm to find the near optimal job assignment configuration, and uses a
deep reinforcement learning (DRL)
based approach to dynamically partition the shared resources among the colocated jobs. In order to reduce the interaction overhead with real systems, it leverages deep learning to estimate job performance without running them on real servers. We conduct extensive experiments to evaluate JointOPT and the results show that JointOPT significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art baselines, with an advantage from 13.3% to 47.7%.
Perception and Memory in the Ventral Visual Stream and Medial Temporal Lobe
Authors: Martin Chris B. , Barense Morgan D.
Published: April 2023

Perception and memory are traditionally thought of as separate cognitive functions, supported by distinct brain regions. The canonical perspective is that perceptual processing of visual information is supported by the ventral visual stream, whereas long-term declarative memory is supported by the medial temporal lobe. However, this modular framework cannot account for the increasingly large body of evidence that reveals a role for early visual areas in long-term recognition memory and a role for medial temporal lobe structures in high-level perceptual processing. In this article, we review relevant research conducted in humans, nonhuman primates, and rodents. We conclude that the evidence is largely inconsistent with theoretical proposals that draw sharp functional boundaries between perceptual and memory systems in the brain. Instead, the weight of the empirical findings is best captured by a representational-hierarchical model that emphasizes differences in content, rather than in cognitive processes within the ventral visual stream and medial temporal lobe.
Integrated Analyses of the Expression and Prognostic Value of EPHB6 in Cervical Cancer and Its Correlation with Immune Infiltrates
Authors: Xiang Siyang , Wei Mei , Zhao Limei , Lin Anping , Xiong Zhengai
Published: April 2023

Among women, cervical cancer (CC) ranks as the third most frequent form of carcinoma and the fourth greatest cancer-related cause of deaths. There is increasing evidence that points to the dysregulation of EPH receptor B6 (EPHB6) in various cancers. On the other hand, neither the expression nor the function of EPHB6 in CC has been researched. In the first part of this investigation, we analyzed the data from the TCGA and discovered that the level of EPHB6 was much lower in CC tissues than in normal cervical tissues. ROC assays revealed that high EPHB6 expression had an AUC value of 0.835 for CC. The survival study revealed that both the overall and disease-specific survivals in this condition were considerably lower among patients who had a low EPHB6 level compared to those who had a high EPHB6 level. It is important to note that the multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that the expression of EPHB6 was an independent predictive factor. In addition to this, the C-indexes and calibration plots of a nomogram derived from multivariate assays revealed an accurate prediction performance among patients with CC. Immune infiltration analysis indicated that the expression of EPHB6 was positively associated with the levels of Tcm, TReg, B cells, T cells, iDC, T helper cells, cytotoxic cells, and DC, while negatively associated with NK CD56bright cells and neutrophils. In summary, the downregulation of EPHB6 was strongly linked to a more aggressive clinical development of CC, suggesting its potential utility as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in CC.
The Influence of Small Clear-Distance Tunnel Construction on Adjacent High-Voltage Transmission Tower Foundation
Authors: Yao Aijun , Lin Jinbiao , Ren Bin
Published: April 2023

The new tunnel construction will inevitably cause the change of the stress field and displacement field of the stratum where the adjacent existing structures are located, which poses a great threat to the safe and stable operation of the existing structures. Reasonable selection and optimization of construction sequence and construction method of double tunnels with small clear distance are of great significance to the safe and stable operation of existing structures. In this present study, taking the Xiaohan municipal double-arch highway tunnel near the high-voltage transmission tower as the engineering background, the ABQUS finite element numerical simulation method is used to analyze the influence of tunnel construction on the existing high voltage tower foundation. The accuracy of the numerical method is verified compared with the theoretical solution of induced stress at the bottom of the tower foundation caused by the excavation of circular cavity. Then, the influence law of tunnel position on induced stress field is discussed by parameter analysis. On this basis, the construction sequence which has the least influence on the tower foundation is selected by comparing the numerical simulation results of different construction schemes. That is, the left tunnel shall be excavated after the construction of the right tunnel is completed. Finally, the change of the settlement of the existing tower foundation, the stress of the base, and the inclination degree during the CD method excavation is analyzed. The results show that simultaneous excavation of new tunnels has the greatest influence on the settlement and stress increment of the existing tower foundation. It provides suggestions to construct the double tunnels step by step from far side to near side in similar projects.
Evaluation on Site Selection of Urban Renewal Projects from the Perspective of Space Benefit: Macau Special Administrative Region as an Example
Authors: Chen Zehui , Xing Yalong , Huang Guang , Li JingXian
Published: April 2023

With the advent of the stock-planning era, urban renewal has gradually become an important part of urban construction. Urban renewal is essentially a process of solving the rational redistribution of space. However, blind urban renewal can easily lead to the waste of space resources. Therefore, an appropriate renewal location can maximize the space’s renewal efficiency. Based on the perspective of space benefits, this study constructs an urban renewal site selection evaluation system suitable for Macau SAR from two aspects of social and economic benefits and space benefits and uses the DEA model to verify the evaluation system. Thus, we can more objectively and directly judge the evaluation of benefits in urban renewal site selection, maximize the efficiency of spatial renewal, and provide reference for urban site selection decisions. The results are as follows: Funing Building is the best item among the four renewal projects, and it is also the most suitable target point for development; the super-rich benefit is inefficient in terms of both space benefit and production cost benefit.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients with Abdominal Obesity Are Prone to Osteodysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Guo Hui , An Zengmei , Wang Ningjian , Ge Shaohong , Cai Jian , Yu Shiyan , Zhou Ying , Ying Rong , Zha Kexi , Gu Tao , Zhao Yan , Lu Yingli
Published: April 2023

Introduction. The interaction between diabetes, obesity, and bone metabolism was drawing increasing public attention. However, the osteometabolic changes in diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) patients with abdominal obesity have not been fully revealed. This study is aimed at investigating the association between abdominal obesity indices and bone turnover markers among T2DM participants. Methods. 4351 subjects were involved in the METAL study. Abdominal obesity indices included neck, waist, and hip circumference, visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI). They were applied to elucidate the nexus between β-C-terminal telopeptide (β-CTX), osteocalcin (OC), and intact N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP). Results. Abdominal obesity indices were strongly negatively associated with β-CTX and OC. Among males, five indices were negatively correlated with β-CTX (BMI, WC, LAP, WHR, and CVAI) and OC (BMI, NC, WC, WHR, and CVAI). There were no significant associations with P1NP. Among females, all eight indices were negatively associated with β-CTX. Seven indices were negatively related to OC (BMI, NC, WC, HC, LAP, WHR, and CVAI). The VAI was negatively correlated with P1NP. Conclusions. The present study demonstrated that in T2DM, abdominal obesity had an obviously negative correlation with bone metabolism. Abdominal obesity indices were significantly negatively associated with skeletal destruction (β-CTX) and formation (OC). In routine clinical practice, these easily obtained indices could be used as a preliminary screening method and relevant factors for osteodysfunction incidence risk at no additional cost and may be of particular value for postmenopausal women in T2DM populations.