bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fasciitis-panniculitis syndrome with autoantibodies reacting to collagen fibers: A case report
Authors: Uehara Yu , ENYA TAKUJI , Morimoto Yuichi , Miyazaki Kohei , Hakata Yoshiyuki , Miyazawa Masaaki , Sugimoto Keisuke
Published: April 2023

Background: Fasciitis-panniculitis syndrome (FPS) typically presents with swelling and skin hardening. Its histopathological characteristics include inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous thickening of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia. No case describing FPS in children had been reported. We encountered a case of a 10-year-old boy in which prednisolone and famotidine were effective in managing the relapsed FPS.
Case presentation: The patient developed a high fever and skin swelling with pain and erythema on the right side of his body following an abrasion injury on his right wrist at the age of 5 years, and was suspected of having streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome, for which he received antimicrobials, immunoglobulin therapy, debridement, and plasma exchange. The same presentation with similar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of inflammatory spillover in the fat tissue and fascia was observed twice at the age of 6 years. Serological analyses for conventional autoantibodies, bone marrow aspiration and whole-exome sequencing examination were non-remarkable. Prednisolone was effective in ameliorating the above putative autoinflammatory syndrome. The patient was admitted at the age of 10 years with similar clinical and MRI findings indicative of recurrence of the same disease. En bloc biopsy from the skin to the fascia showed thickening of collagen fibers, infiltration of inflammatory cells composed mainly of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and necrotizing vasculitis in the fat tissue and fascia. Immunohistochemical staining of the en bloc biopsy sections indicated infiltration of T lymphocytes and macrophages in the perivascular connective tissue and fibrinoid necrosis, supporting the diagnosis of FPS. Induction therapy with prednisolone resulted in a remission. IgG purified from the patient’s serum reacted with collagen fibers in the lipofibrous septa. The patient is currently taking famotidine to prevent relapses and is making good progress in his recovery.
Conclusions: Although pathogenic autoantibodies have not been described in FPS, our results suggest that collagen-reactive autoantibodies may be involved in the pathogenesis of FPS.
Assessment of Adequacy and Appropriateness of Pain Management Practice among Trauma Patients at the Ethiopian Aabet Hospital: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Ayano Wondwossen Alemu , Fentie Atalay Mulu , Tileku Melaku , Jiru Tilahun , Hussen Shemsu Umer
Published: April 2023

Background
Pain is unpleasant sensory and emotional experiences associated with actual and/or potential tissue damage. It is the most common and prevalent reason for emergency departments (ED) visits with prevalence over 70% in the world. The aim of this study was to assess adequacy and appropriateness of pain management at Aabet Hospital.
Methods
An observational prospective study was conducted at Aabet hospital from December 1, 2020, to March 30, 2021. Adult trauma patients having pain (at least score 1 on Numeric Rating Scale) with Glasgow Coma Scale score > 13 was eligible to participate in the study. The pain intensity was evaluated at the time of admission (o minute) and then at 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. The time of the first analgesics was registered. The adequacy and the appropriateness of the pain management were calculated through pain management index (PMI).
Results
Two hundred thirty-two (232) participants were included in this study of which 126 (54.3%) were admitted due to road traffic accident followed by fall 44(19%). Only 21 (9.1%) study participants received the first analgesic treatment within 30 minutes while 27(11.6%) participants had no treatment at all within 240 minutes. The mean pain intensity score at admission was 5.55 ± 2.32 and reduced to 4.09 ± 2.69 at 240 minutes. Nearly half 110 (47.4%) of the study participants were treated inadequately (PMI (-) score). There was a weak and negative correlation between PMI and time to analgesia (r = − .159, p = 0.0001). The type of analgesia administered, time to analgesia and pain intensity could predict 65% of variance in PMI score (R2 = 0.65, P = .001).
Conclusion
From the results of this study, it can be concluded that acute pain in trauma patients was under and inappropriately treated.
Fault Diagnosis for Rolling Bearing of Road Heading Machine via SVDS-ICNN
Authors: Qu Xiaofei , Zhang Yongkang , Li Yin
Published: April 2023

A novel fault diagnosis method based on Improved Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), S-transformation and Improved Convolutional Neural Networks (ICNN) is proposed for the non-stationary, nonlinear, interfered by strong background noise and difficult feature extraction problems of rolling bearing vibration signal of the road heading machine. Firstly, the original signal is constructed into a Hankel matrix which was decomposed by SVD. The effective singular values are selected according to the curvature spectrum of the singular values for signal recon-struction, and the reconstructed signals are transformed by S to generate the feature map, which is input into ICNN adaptive feature extraction for the fault identification. Secondly, the im-proved convolutional neural network uses VGG16 as a Bottleneck structure, introduces the bot-tleneck structure, selects input data with different sizes for feature extraction, adds Fine Tune on the basis of ICNN, and finally realizes fault classification and recognition through network pa-rameter adjustment. The proposed method is applied to the fault diagnosis of road heading ma-chine rolling bearings, and the accuracy rate is 98.2%, which is 9.55% higher than the classic VGG16 model.
Evaluation of Total Phenolic, Flavonoid contents, and Antioxidant activity of Rhus vulgaris leaves extracts
Authors: Belew Aderaw Anteneh , Hana Getachew Gebre Mariam Woled , Meshesha Desta Shumuye , Akele Mulugeta Legese
Published: April 2023

BackgroundRhus vulgarisis rich in various polyphenols and flavonoids that act as free radical scavengers, reduce oxidative stress, and cure various harmful human diseases. Traditionally, the plant is used to treat various diseases including cancer. Methods This study involved extraction using the solvents hexane, acetone, and 80% aqueous methanol, phytochemical screening, and antimicrobial testing. Using the spectrophotometric techniques of Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride, respectively, the plant's total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The extracts' activity was assessed with the help of the (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Results The extracts mostly contain alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, and anthraquinones. Compared to the standard, the methanol extracts showed better inhibitory zones. Results revealed that total polyphenols and flavonoid contents were in the range of 5.82 ± 0.6–83.23 ± 0.6 mg GAE/100 g and 2.21 ± 0.34–23.47 ± 0.87 mg CE/100 g, respectively. Leaves extracts ofR.vulgariswas found to have higher antioxidant activities ranging from 0.756 ± 0.8 to 131.56 ± 0.6 mg AAE/g sample. Conclusion TheR. vulgaris80% methanolic extract displayed the highest phenolic and flavonoid concentrations as well as a powerful antioxidant capacity. It could be used as an antibiotic for different curable and incurable diseases.
Burden, risk factors, neurosurgical evacuation outcomes and predictors of mortality among traumatic brain injury patients with expansive intracranial hematomas in Uganda: A mixed methods study design
Authors: Kamabu Larrey Kasereka , Bbosa Godfrey S. , Lekuya Hervé Monka , Kyaruzi Victor Meza , Nyalundja Arsene Daniel , Sekabunga Juliet Nalwanga , Kataka Louange Maha , Obiga Doomwin Oscar Deogratius , Kiryabwire Joel , Galukande Moses
Published: April 2023

Background
There has been a significant paucity of literature reporting on the burden, risk factors, neurosurgical outcomes for expansive intracranial hematomas (EIH) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Uganda and related low middle income countries. This research determined the burden, risk factors, neurosurgical outcomes in Uganda EIH patients.
Methods
A mixed methods study design was conducted among TBI adult patients with intracranial hematoma who underwent surgical evacuation during a period of 18 months. In analysis, univariate, bivariable and multivariable, cox regression analyses, Kaplan Meir survival curves, log rank test were sequentially conducted at p-values of <0.2 and 0.05, at a 95% Confidence interval (CI) in respective order to assess factors associated with EIH, surgical outcomes.
Results
Of the 324 patients with intracranial hematomas [80.6% male, mean age 37.5 (17.4) years], 192 (59.3%) had EIH resulting in a proportion of 0.59 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.65). At multivariate model, age group between 39 to 48 PR =1.54 (95% CI 1.20 to 1.97; P = 0.001), age above 48 years PR =1.56 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.98; P <0.001), smoking PR =1.21 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.47; P = 0.048), having severe systemic disease PR =1.36 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.64; P = 0.001), and presence of swirl sign PR =2.26 (95% CI 1.29 to 3.95; P = 0.004) were found to be risk factors for EIH among patients with TBI. The Kaplan Meier 16 months mortality was 53.4%, 95% CI= (28.1 to 85.0). At multivariate Cox regression, the predictors of mortality were young age, MAP above 95 mmHg, low GCS, complication such infection, spasticity, wound dehiscence, CSF leaks, having GOS < 3, QoLIBRI < 50, ASDH, contusion, and EIH
Conclusion
EIH is common in Uganda with a prevalence of 59.3% and 53.4 % of the Kaplan Meier mortality. Increased age above 39 years, smoking, having severe systemic disease and presence of swirl sign are risk factors. Old age, MAP above 95 mmHg, low GCS, complication such infection, spasticity, wound dehiscence, CSF leaks, having GOS < 3, QoLIBRI < 50, ASDH, and contusion are predictors of mortality.
Design of internet business English teaching video system based on high-resolution graphics and CNN algorithm
Authors: Yunhui Chen , Bihan Du
Published: April 2023

With the further deepening of world trade, the demand for English learning is growing. The Internet teaching system provides a broader way for English learning. Teaching resources include pictures, videos and other forms. Based on the actual needs of business English, this paper designs an Internet business English teaching system combining machine learning algorithms and high-resolution graphic recognition methods. Based on the B/S three-tier structure, the system includes three main structures: system management, video course management, and system learning function realization, which meet the resource sharing and expansion requirements of the English teaching video system. As the multimedia teaching resources on the teaching platform mainly consist of pictures and videos and students' learning data are rich, this paper uses the hybrid collaborative filtering algorithm to analyze and integrate the data information collected by the teaching system, so as to realize the analysis of students' learning, and further realize personalized teaching. At the same time, the algorithm of convolutional neural network is applied to the image high resolution process of the video teaching system to solve the recognition error caused by the pixel problem of the image. By using interpolation algorithm to reconstruct the image with high resolution, the efficiency of the algorithm is improved and the resources of the teaching system are integrated. Finally, the overall performance of the video teaching system is tested to prove the effectiveness and usability of the model in this paper. Based on this, this paper puts forward some suggestions on the interactive strategies of online business English teaching in the context of the Internet.
Brain Tumour Images Classification Using Support Vector Machine and Pre-Trained Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Kondamuri Hanumantha Rao , Padmanabhuni Venkata Nageswara Rao
Published: April 2023

Brain tumour classification allows for successful treatment. The aim of this paper is to identify two categories of brain tumors using a benchmark dataset of Magnetic resonance image (MRI) brain tumor. Due to a lack of huge training data, this paper using data augmentation so that training data is increased. In this aspect, the original images are processed with median filtering and the obtained results are used as total training dataset In this study, we propose a novel method for classifying pictures of brain tumors and cancer using pre-trained convolution neural networks (CNN) and support vector machines (SVM). In this appraoch, the features are derived using two pre-trained convolution neural networks models namely Alexnet and ResNet. Support vector machine (SVM) is used to classify tumor picture after characteristics have been extracted. This paper is addressing issues like: to reduce training time, improve image classification accuracy and prevent over fitting. Instead of training with same dataset, using of segmented images as training data will achieves good performance. We trained our architectures with segmented images and limited pre-processing for three epochs to test classification accuracy and time consumption. The experimental performance attained is 97.34% with transfer learning.
An effective approach for predicting daily stock trading decisions using fuzzy inference systems
Authors: gopal venu , c veeramani , Muruganandan s
Published: April 2023

To be successful in stock trading, it is necessary to predict future market trends. Many professional traders use traditional technical indicators to predict stock prices. In this study, we have developed multiple Fuzzy Inference Systems (FISs) framework which including both fundamental and technical information as a input of the FISs framework for predicting daily trading decision buy, hold, and sell signals in the financial market environment. Test the framework on selected stocks of NASDAQ stock exchange shows that combined the fundamental data of the stocks as input along with the technical data significantly improves the return than that of the system taking only technical information as input data. Further, the proposed FISs frame work and the classical methods such as Relative Strength Index (RSI), Moving Average Convergence and Divergence (MACD), Stochastic Oscillator(SO) and On Balance Volume (OBV) are compared with buy and hold strategy using t-statistics test which shows that the FISs framework significantly outperformed.
Placental infarction with fetal ischemic stroke detected via MRI: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Yingchao , Huang Gang , Ba Zhixia , Huang Baosheng , Xia Dong , Luo Jingjiao
Published: April 2023

Background
Placental infarction can result from the partial or complete obstruction of the uterine spiral artery, interrupting maternal blood flow and causing progressive villus tissue necrosis. This, in turn, can adversely impact placental transport, endocrine signaling, metabolic activity, and immune function, resulting in severe fetal growth restriction, fetal ischemic stroke, and even stillbirth. Prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can allow clinicians to evaluate the fetus and the structure of the placenta to detect any morphological changes during pregnancy. The present case highlights the advantages of using MRI to diagnose placental and fetal cerebral ischemic lesions, providing clinical guidance to assist with the appropriate management of placental and fetal abnormalities.
Case presentation:
A 33-year-old female who was 26 weeks and 4 days pregnant presented with blood pressure that was elevated for 1 week detected during prenatal examination and was hospitalized for moderate preeclampsia and fetal distress. MRI examination in our hospital revealed placental infarction, fetal acute cerebral ischemic stroke, and intrauterine distress. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of placental infarction, and a male stillbirth was induced by drug treatment/
Conclusion
MRI scans can allow for the qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of circulatory and central nervous system abnormalities in the context of placental disease, providing guidance to support appropriate clinical decision-making and the termination of pregnancy following fetal ischemic stroke.
A bidirectional phosphate transporter relieves phosphate limitations of photosynthesis to improve grain yield in rice
Authors: Ma Bin , Zhang You , Fan Yanfei , Zhang Lin , Li Xiaoyuan , Shu Qingyao , Huang Jirong , Chen Genyun , Li Qun , Zhu Xin-guang , He Zuhua , Wang Peng
Published: April 2023

Phosphate (Pi) plays an essential role in plant photosynthesis, although the mechanism by which Pi availability is regulated in photosynthesising leaves remains largely unknown. Here, experiments in rice (Oryza sativa L.) demonstrated that the bidirectional phosphate transporter OsPHO1;2 allocated Pi toward the leaves, thus optimizing photosynthesis, especially during grain filling. Ospho1;2 mutants showed decreased Pi concentrations in the leaves, which disrupted photosynthetic protein expression and phosphorylation levels; photosynthetic metabolite accumulation, electron transport activity, and the CO2 assimilation rate were also decreased compared with wild-type plants, resulting in earlier occurrence of Pi-limited photosynthesis. In contrast, OsPHO1;2 overexpression greatly increased Pi availability and therefore photosynthetic rates in leaves during the grain-filling stage. Analysis of germplasm resources in rice accession collection revealed that higher OsPHO1;2 expression was associated with enhanced photosynthesis and yield potential compared to those with lower expression. Moreover, foliar application of phosphate fertilizer at the flowering stage markedly increased photosynthetic rate and grain yield. These findings establish an effective strategy for achieving high photosynthetic efficiency in crop breeding with sustainable application of phosphate resources.
Dynamic Modeling and Hybrid Compliant Control for a 2-DOF Compliant Robotic Leg With a New Biarticular Actuation
Authors: kalibala Abdonoor , Mohamed Abdelfatah , Umezu Shinjiro , Assal Samy F. M.
Published: April 2023

It is well recognized that biarticular muscles cross over two joints instead of just one, granting them the ability to generate substantial forces across both joints. This type of muscle plays a crucial role in human movement, since it produces large forces. In literature, there have been numerous designs of mono- and biarticular actuations applied for a two- or three-link robotic leg, aimed at studying human locomotion. A novel biarticular actuation configuration for a two-link compliant robotic leg is proposed in this research. It features mono-articular rotational actuation for the proximal link and biarticular linear actuation for the distal link. The distal link is actuated by a linear Series Elastic Actuator (SEA) that is suitable for compliant ground interaction, while the proximal link is driven by a stiff rotary actuator. This biarticular actuation is bio-inspired by the biarticular muscles in humans, especially the hamstring muscle, which span two joints instead of one to provide high torque at both joints. This new configuration for the two-link robotic leg realizes the Spring-loaded Inverted Pendulum (SLIP) dynamics, making human locomotion during the compliant ground interaction simpler. In the biarticular coordinates, complete kinematic and dynamic analyses are developed for this new configuration. The approach also involves using a rotating task space to represent the swing and stance phases of human gait. The dynamic model is transformed into this rotating task space and a hybrid impedance and position controller is developed with optimized gains to minimize the tracking errors and prevent any disturbance. A disturbance observer controller is developed and integrated with the hybrid impedance control for the proposed linear SEA in order to improve the force control precision and the resilience against external disturbances. The simulation results show the feasibility of this new approach.
SIRT7 levels are downregulated and are an independent prognostic factor in gallbladder cancer
Authors: Cai Guohao , Huang Guoyu
Published: April 2023

Background: Nucleosome-localized sirtuin 7 (SIRT7) has been found to function as an oncogene and tumor suppressor gene in different tumors, respectively. However, the clinical significance of SIRT7 protein in gallbladder cancer (GBC) and the effects of its expression on GBC have not been assessed.
Methods: We assessed the levels of SIRT7 protein in tissue microarrays containing 80 GBC patients, and the associations with clinicopathological parameters and overall survival time of GBC patients by immunohistochemical staining. We also constructed GBC cell lines (GBC-SD) with overexpression or interference of SIRT7 by lentiviral infection. The effects of SIRT7 on the proliferation, migration, and invasive ability of GBC-SD cells were then investigated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, wound healing assays, and migration and invasion assays. Additionally, we investigated the effects of SIRT7 on the cell cycle and apoptosis of GBC cells, and the relationship with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway.
Results: Immunohistochemistry revealed that SIRT7 protein levels were reduced in GBC, and that higher SIRT7 levels were associated with larger tumor volumes, poorer pathological differentiation, later T-staging, later N-staging and later AJCC staging in GBC patients and were an independent prognostic factor in GBC patients. Interfering with SIRT7 significantly inhibited the proliferative viability, scratch healing capacity, migratory capacity, and invasive capacity of GBC-SD cells, whilst overexpression of SIRT7 had the opposite effect. Additionally, interfering with SIRT7 significantly inhibited the cell cycle and increased the apoptosis rate of GBC-SD cells, and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65 protein.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that SIRT7 is an independent prognostic factor for GBC, and that SIRT7 inhibits apoptosis and thus proliferation, migration, and invasion by suppressing NF-κB pathway activity. This suggests that SIRT7 could be a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of GBC.
Association between obtaining injury prevention information and maternal and child health services during COVID-19
Authors: Honda Chikako , Yamamoto-Takiguchi Natsuki
Published: April 2023

Background: Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children worldwide, and many are preventable. Public maternal and child health services provide ideal opportunities for disseminating injury prevention education. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted these services, reducing access to injury prevention information. This study aimed to obtain suggestions for delivering injury prevention information to the public during future pandemics.
Methods: In March 2022, a nationwide Internet survey of mothers raising children ages 0-2 was conducted, asking whether they could obtain injury prevention information when required and when, what, and how they would like to receive it.
Results: Over half of the mothers wanted injury prevention information throughout their pregnancy. They preferred receiving information through traditional face-to-face services provided by local governments, such as antenatal classes or checkups. However, 34.1% of mothers said they did not obtain the information they needed, especially those unemployed, mothers of children aged 0 to 1, and mothers of children with illnesses requiring hospital visits. In public services, failure to be interviewed when submitting pregnancy notification was associated with failure to obtain injury prevention information.
Conclusions: It is suggested that the interruption of public services prevented mothers, especially those with fewer opportunities to obtain informal information, from obtaining injury prevention information. Maintaining face-to-face services with infection control measures and considering alternative means of information and support are crucial to prevent parents from being cut off from information sources during future pandemics.
Assessing the threat of invasive plant species in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Ngugi Michael R , Neldner Victor J.
Published: April 2023

Invasive species, climate change and the negative impacts of tourism are currently and globally recognised as the three most significant threats to Outstanding Universal Values of natural World Heritage listed areas. This study investigated the threat of incursion of invasive plant species associated with access roads in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in Queensland, Australia. We assessed richness, composition, and the spread of invasive plant species along roads and in the adjacent vegetation using 34 transects established in 2015 and remeasured in 2021. Species and foliage cover of all ground-layer plants were recorded. Thirty-one invasive species were recorded, and their richness was found to be significantly higher at the road edge (27 species) than in the adjacent vegetation (16 species). While invasive species richness decreased with distance from the road edge, their foliage cover did not show a consistent trend. Foliage cover for more than 73% of the recorded invasive species at the road edge was < 5%. Invasive species with the highest foliage cover were signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) with 65% at the road edge, and Parramata grass (Sporobolus fertilis) in the adjacent vegetation with 64% foliage cover. The abundance of invasive species and the potential for a small set to dominate the road edge and spread into the adjoining environment, highlights the importance of timely surveillance and targeted control of invasive species at road edges to ensure that they do not spread to the adjacent vegetation.
Deep Learning based Minerals’ Recognition and Mapping using Sentinel-2 Imagery
Authors: Jan Nazir , Minallah Nasru , Sher Madiha , Frnda Jaroslav , Nedoma Jan
Published: April 2023

Marble and limestone possess calcium carbonate (chemical formula: CaCo3) as major ingredient that’s why they are called carbonates or carbonated mineral. Carbonates are 70% of the total minerals’ deposits of the intended study area which are divulged and mapped using the significant deep learning neural network models and latest Sentinel-2 imagery. While delineating them, an overall accuracy of 96% for 1-dimensional convolution neural network and 95% for artificial neural network was achieved while targeted carbonates class accuracy remained 99% and 100% respectively. Sentinel-2 sensors record data in visible, Near infrared, and short wave infrared bands which are much appropriate to delineating carbonated minerals as they show greater absorption features in these bands. Sentinel-2 data was downloaded in Level-2 format and resampled to 10 meter spatial resolution using bilinear nearest neighbors algorithm. Significant amount of data polygons (2500+) were drawn and cleaned up for various class members in order to prepare them for various deep learning and machine learning models. Data was split in the ratio of 70:30 as training-test sets which provided with the most optimal mapping results. Classification and accuracy assessment reports of the models with high quality resultant imageries were overlaid in ArcGIS 10.2 and presented in article.
Performance Evaluation of CMIP6 GCMs for the Projections of Precipitation Extremes in Pakistan
Authors: Ali Zulfiqar , Hamed Mohammad Magdy , Muhammad Mohd Khairul Idlan , Iqbal Zafar , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: April 2023

Extreme weather events are more detrimental to human culture and ecosystems than typical weather patterns. A multimodel ensemble (MME) of the top-performing global climate models (GCMs) to simulate 11 precipitation extremes was selected using a hybrid method to project their changes in Pakistan. It also compared the benefits of using all GCMs compared to using only selected GCMs when projecting precipitation extremes for two future periods (2020–2059) and (2060–2099) for four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs), SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5. Results showed that EC-Earth3-Veg, MRI-ESM2-0 and NorESM2-MM performed best among GCMs in simulating historical and projecting precipitation extremes. Compared to the MME of all GCMs, the uncertainty in future projections of all precipitation indices using the selected GCMs was significantly smaller. The MME median of the selected GCMs showed increased precipitation extremes over most of Pakistan. The greater increases were in one-day maximum precipitation by 6–12 mm, five-day maximum precipitation by 12–20 mm, total precipitation by 40–50 mm, 95th percentile precipitation events by greater than 30 mm, 99th percentile precipitation events by more than 9 mm, days when precipitation ≥ 4 mm by 0–4 days, days when precipitation ≥ 10 mm by 2–6 days, days when precipitation ≥ 20 mm by 1–3 days, and precipitation intensity by 1 mm/day, consecutive wet days by one day, consecutive dry days by 0–4 days in the northern high elevated areas for SSP5-8.5 in the late future. These results emphasize the greater influence of climate change on precipitation extremes in the northern, high-elevation areas, which provide the majority of the country's water. This emphasizes the necessity to adopt suitable climate change mitigation strategies for sustainable development, particularly in the country's northern regions.
An investigation of psychoactive polypharmacy and related gender-differences in older adults with dementia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Trenaman Shanna C , Quach Jack , Bowles Susan K , Kirkland Susan , Andrew Melissa K
Published: April 2023

Background: Older adults with dementia may express challenging responsive behaviours. One management strategy is pharmacologic treatment though these options have limited benefit. The limited benefit may lead to multiple treatments being prescribed.
Methods: The aim of the present study was to describe psychoactive medication polypharmacy and explore factors associated with psychoactive polypharmacy in a cohort of older adults with dementia in Nova Scotia, Canada, including a gender-stratified analysis. This was a retrospective cohort study of those aged 65 years or older with a recorded diagnosis of dementia between 2005 and 2015. Medication dispensation data was collected from April 1, 2010, or dementia diagnosis (cohort entry) to either death or March 31, 2015 (cohort exit). Psychoactive medication claims were captured. Psychoactive medication polypharmacy was defined as presence of three or more psychoactive prescription medications dispensed to one subject and overlapping for more than 30 days. Psychoactive polypharmacy episodes were described in duration, quantity, and implicated medications. Regression analysis examined factors associated with experience and frequency of psychoactive polypharmacy. All analysis were stratified by gender.
Results: The cohort included 15,819 adults with dementia (mean age 80.7 years; 70.0% female), with 54.3% (n = 15,728) receiving at least one psychoactive medication. 19.3% met the definition of psychoactive polypharmacy. Logistic regression adjusted for age at dementia diagnosis, year of dementia diagnosis, and rural or urban location of residence demonstrated for both men and women that younger age was associated with increased risk of psychoactive polypharmacy (women: OR 0.97, 95%CI[0.96, 0.98], men: OR 0.96, 95%CI[0.95, 0.97]). Men were less likely to experience psychoactive polypharmacy if their location of residence was urban (OR 0.86, 95%CI[0.74, 0.99]), but there was no significant association between location of residence (urban or rural) and polypharmacy for older women with dementia. Antidepressants were the most dispensed class, while quetiapine was the most dispensed medication.
Conclusions: This study suggests that younger adults with dementia are dispensed more psychoactive medications and that adults with dementia living in rural locations may benefit from increased access to non-pharmacological options for dementia management.
Intelligent VSM Model: A way to adopt Industry 4.0 Technologies in Manufacturing Industry
Authors: M Raja Chandra Sekar , V Anbumalar , K.P Paranitharan , K.E.K VIMAL
Published: April 2023

In the present scenario, the industry and manufacturers find hardship to run the business in a profitable manner by enhancing the production and efficiency of the system, Multiple factors influences the industry to meet out the customer’s requirements and to sustain in this competitive environment. The purpose of this research is to develop an Intelligent VSM Model which is used here to integrate with the Industry 4.0 and lean tools to monitor the real time manufacturing setup with recent trends in information technology. Our research is focused to develop an Intelligent VSM (IVSM) system enabled with IoT for the industry which caters the need to enhance the performance of any manufacturing setup.
A study has been conducted in an electronics component industry through the Current state IVSM and the Intelligent VSM model for the future state was designed and implemented.
The IoT enabled Future Intelligent VSM system facilitates the need of the today’s dynamic manufacturing environment scenario, which continuously monitors through Integrated Efficiency Monitoring System (IEMS). The improved performance of the system is visualized in the dashboard at the specified regular intervals. Further to improve the effectiveness of the Intelligent VSM system, Kaizen activities is been tasked in to eliminate the shortfalls and increase the efficiency in the future DVSM system. The proposed system integrates all the process in the industry to predict the uncertainty. This research work can further extend to all other manufacturing and service support system to predict the critical condition in advance.
Oral TGF-βR1 inhibitor Vactosertib promotes osteosarcoma regression by targeting tumor proliferation and enhancing anti-tumor immunity
Authors: Choi Sung Hee , Myers Jay , Tomchuck Suzanne , Bonner Melissa , Eid Saada , Kingsley Daniel , VanHeyst Kristen , Kim Seong-Jin , Kim Byung-Gyu , Huang Alex
Published: April 2023

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive malignant bone cancer, with refractory and metastatic disease remaining a significant challenge. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β) is a potent immune suppressive cytokine in OS and the TGF-β is increased in the sera of OS patients and this increase is associated with high-grade OS and lung metastases. Therefore, blocking TGF-β1 signaling may be a novel therapy for OS treatment. Here we show that blocking TGF-β1 signaling using TGF-βR1 inhibitor, Vactosertib, significantly inhibited OS proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Notably, Vactosertib inhibits c-Myc expression in the OS cells. Vactosertib increased immune effectors (IFNγ+CD8+ cells and NK cells) and inhibited immune suppressors (M2-like TAM, MDSC) in the OS tumor microenvironment. Our results suggest that inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling is an effective therapeutic strategy against OS through a multi-pronged approach that targets tumor intrinsic and extrinsic factors to achieve optimal immune-effector functions and maximal clinical response.
Neuro-camouflaging is an Indicator of Human Camouflage, an Assumption of Brain Engineering for Self-protection against Criminal Attacking
Authors: Hossain Md. Anowar
Published: April 2023

Every animal has camouflage behavior for self-protection against enemies. Neuro-camouflaging is a common behavior of human brain (HB) for personal protection. Neuro-physics and neuro-chemistry relates to neuro-camouflaging of HB. Camouflage physics and camouflage chemistry of HB was assumed and biologically explicated under theoretical and practical observations. The wiring structure of HB-neuron-cerebrospinal fluid is influenced by cortical excitability versus frightened symptom for having an artificial potency of neuro-camouflaging. Hence, neuro-camouflaging response of HB shows a tendency of self-protection behavior which tends to the action of human-camouflaging against criminal attacking.
Targeted Delivery of Interleukin-12 Plasmid into HepG2 cells through Folic Acid Conjugated Graphene Oxide Nanocarrier
Authors: Safari Farshad , Bardania Hasan , Dehshahri Ali , Hallaj-Nezhadi Somayeh , Asfaram Arash , Mohammadi Vahid , Baneshi Marzieh , Mirzaei Ali , Bahramianpour Sima , Khalvati Bahman
Published: April 2023

Background
Successful gene therapy relies on carriers to transfer genetic materials with high efficiency and low toxicity in a targeted manner. To improve targeted cell binding and uptake, we developed and synthesized a new gene delivery vector based on graphene oxide (GO) modified by branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) and folic acid (FA).
Methods and Results
The GO-PEI-FA nanocarriers exhibit less toxicity as compared to the unmodified PEI, as well as having potential efficacy in compressing and protecting pDNA. Interestingly, by increasing the polymer content in the polyplex formulation, the plasmid transfer ability increased. Graphene oxide substitution of PEI at N/P:10 on HepG2 cell line, improved hIL-12 expression by up to around eight folds relative to the simple PEI, which is 2-fold higher than Go-PEI-FA on Hek293 at the same N/P ratio.
Conclusions
Hence, the GO-PEI-FA described in this study might introduce as a targeting nanocarrier for delivery of hIL-12 plasmid into the cells overexpressing folic acid receptors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma.
Ocular instillation of conditioned medium from mesenchymal stem cells is effective for dry eye syndrome by improving corneal barrier function
Authors: Imaizumi Tsutomu , Hayashi Ryuhei , Kudo Yuji , Li Xiaoqin , Yamaguchi Kaito , Shibata Shun , Okubo Toru , Ishi Tsuyoshi , Honma Yoichi , Nishida Kohji
Published: April 2023

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a chronic ocular disease that induces epithelial damage to the cornea by decreasing tear production and quality. Adequate treatment options have not been established for severe DES such as Sjogren’s syndrome due to complicated pathological conditions. To solve this problem, we focused on the conditioned medium of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAdMSC-CM), which have multiple therapeutic properties. Here, we showed that hAdMSC-CM suppressed Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC)-induced cytotoxicity and inflammation in human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs). In addition, hAdMSC-CM increased the expression level and regulated the localisation of barrier function-related components, and improved the BAC-induced barrier dysfunction in hCECs. RNA-seq analysis and inhibition experiments revealed that the effects of hAdMSC-CM were associated with the TGFβ and JAK-STAT signalling pathways. Moreover, in DES model rats with exorbital and intraorbital lacrimal gland excision, ocular instillation of hAdMSC-CM suppressed corneal epithelial damage by improving barrier dysfunction of the cornea. Thus, we demonstrated that hAdMSC-CM has multiple therapeutic properties associated with TGFβ and JAK-STAT signalling pathways, and ocular instillation of hAdMSC-CM may serve as an innovative therapeutic agent for DES by improving corneal barrier function.
Early Life Stress Accelerates Critical Periods and Causes Precocious Visual Cortex Development
Authors: Poplawski Janet , Montina Tony , Metz Gerlinde
Published: April 2023

The developing nervous system displays remarkable plasticity in response to sensory stimulation during critical periods of development. Critical periods may also increase the brain’s vulnerability to adverse experiences. Here we show that early-life stress in mice shifts the timing of critical period of the visual cortex. Early-life stress accelerated the opening and closing of the visual cortex critical period along with precocious development of visual acuity. Premature emergence of inhibitory perineuronal nets was accompanied by activated energy metabolism and protein biosynthesis and expression of genes linked to psychiatric disease risk, with hemispheric asymmetries favoring the right side. Thus, early-life stress desynchronizes the orchestrated temporal sequence of regional brain development leading to permanent functional deficiencies. These findings provide new insights into the dichotomy between adaptive brain plasticity versus neurodevelopmental risk factors.
Multilevel analysis of the factors associated with teenage pregnancy Ethiopia; using the recent 2019 Ethiopia mini demographic and health survey
Authors: Abrham Angwach , Assefa Atersaw , Molla Ayenew , Kasu Alemayehu
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is a major reproductive health problem. It can result in serious health and social issues. Even if teenage pregnancy has adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes, the magnitude is still high in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of teenage pregnancy.
Method: This study was based on the nationally representative 2019 Mini Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. We used a total weighted sample of 2100 teenage in the survey. A multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to account for the hierarchal nature of the DHS data. In the multivariable multilevel analysis, those variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered as significantly associated with teenage pregnancy
Result: Based on this study result the prevalence of teenage pregnancy is 11.8%. Use of contraceptives (AOR=8.517832, 95% CI [5.241808, 13.8413]), household head age (AOR=6.031393, 95% CI: [3.850781, 9.446837]), educational stats (AOR=0.5053326, 95% CI [0.3261638, 0.7829227]), community wealth status (AOR=1.631567, 95% CI [0.9582524, 2.777985]) were factors significantly associated with teenage pregnancy.
Conclusion: Based on this study result the prevalence of teenage pregnancy among teenagers is still high. The multilevel modeling approach used in this study enables us to identify some factors at both the individual and community levels that are associated with teenage pregnancy. Educational status, household head age, contraceptive usage, and community wealth status have shown a significant positive association with teenage pregnancy.
Application of Computer Image Technology in 3D Painting Based on Cloud Computing
Authors: Li Yumei
Published: April 2023

Virtual painting technology is a new technical means of modern art creation. 3D painting is a branch of virtual reality art. It uses computers or other intelligent computing devices to simulate the virtual 3D space environment, so that art creators can immerse themselves in painting creation. The difference between 3D painting and traditional painting is that it is a painting space from two-dimensional to three-dimensional. It is a painting creation process of double immersion of human brain and limbs. We believe that the artistic exploration of 3D painting is helpful to the improvement of painting artistic creation ideas and the expansion of skills. It is an embodiment of enriching the media and visualization of painting. Due to the complexity of 3D painting, this paper creates a cloud platform based on the high-speed and large storage characteristics of cloud computing, which will provide more efficient and convenient experience for 3D painting users. The key to the development of the cloud platform is to build an NX digital modeling and display platform based on cloud computing. Through the compression, serialization and network transmission of the three-dimensional image technology at the NX end, the three-dimensional model is finally displayed in the browser interface, and the basic functions of interacting with the model are provided for users, Cloud computing technology is used to arrange the computing work of 3D model compression into subsequent computing, which greatly reduces the redundancy of users' work. Through the research of cloud computing, this paper applies it to computer image technology, which makes the application of 3D painting flourish.
Token Open Secure and Practical NTRU-based Updatable Encryption
Authors: Song Yang , Gao Haiying , Wang Shiyu , Ma Chao , Sun Keshuo
Published: April 2023

Updatable encryption (UE) is suitable for key rotation and ciphertexts update in the cloud storage environment. A new security model for UE named Token Open security model is presented recently, which is closer to the real attack scenario. And the existing post-quantum secure UE schemes are all based on the LWE assumption without engineering implementation. In this paper, we improve the recently presented security model, which allows the adversary to corrupt all update tokens and keys of the past epochs. We show that our new model reflects the characteristics of UE. Then we construct the first UE scheme based on NTRU, named NTRU-UE. Our new scheme uses the key-switching technique to achieve backward-leak uni-directional key update and uni-directional ciphertext update and uses the ciphertext-masking technique to achieve rand-update. We show that the new scheme is secure under our new model. In addition, we accomplish the software implementation of NTRU-UE and the experiment results show that the scheme meets the practical requirements.
A chromosome arm from Thinopyrum intermedium × Thinopyrum ponticum hybrid confers increased tillering and yield potential in wheat
Authors: Türkösi Edina , Szakács Éva , Ivanizs László , Farkas András , Gaál Eszter , Said Mahmoud , Darkó Éva , Cséplő Mónika , Mikó Péter , Doležel Jaroslav , Molnár-Láng Márta , Molnár István , Kruppa Klaudia
Published: April 2023

Tiller number is a key component of plant architecture with direct effect on grain yield of wheat. Interspecific hybridization using wild relative species are promising approach for increasing wheat genetic diversity, including yield potential. Agropyron glael, a perennial hybrid of Thinopyrum intermedium and Th. ponticum has five subgenomes (J, Jst, Jvs, Jr, and St), making A. glael an important gene source for transferring useful agronomical traits into wheat.
This work reports on development of a wheat-A. glael translocation line WT153397. Sequential in situ hybridizations with J-, St-, and D-genomic DNA probes and pSc119.2, Afa family, pTa71, and (GAA)7 DNA repeats, as well as an analysis using molecular markers specific for the wheat 6D chromosome, revealed the presence of a 6DS.6Jvs centric fusion in the translocation line.
Field trials in low-input and high-input breeding nurseries over three growing seasons demonstrated high compensating ability of the Agropyron chromosome arm for the missing 6DL as spike morphology and fertility of WT153397 did not differ significantly from those of wheat parents. Moreover, the introgressed 6Jvs chromosome arm significantly increased the number of productive tillers, which manifested in the significantly higher grain yield potential relative to the parental wheat cultivars.
The translocated chromosome could be flow-sorted in high purity providing an opportunity to employ chromosome genomics to identify Agropyron gene variant(s) responsible for the tillering capacity. The translocation line WT153397 represents an important genetic stock for functional genetic studies of tiller formation and useful breeding material to increase wheat yield potential.