bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability and Sensitivity Analysis of the COVID-19 Spread with Comorbid Diseases
Authors: Nainggolan Jonner , Ansori Moch. Fandi
Published: October 2022

This research investigates a model for the COVID-19 outbreak in Indonesia by analyzing comorbid diseases, self-quarantine, government-provided quarantine, and immunization regimens. Some model parameters are derived from academic journals, others are extrapolated from data collected by the Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2020, and others are assumed. Evaluation of the model reveals non-endemic equilibrium points, endemic equilibrium points, and the basic reproduction number (BRN). The contact rate and infected probability factors impact the increase in the number of COVID-19-infected individuals with comorbid disease within a group. According to the sensitivity analysis of the BRN, the key parameters impacting the spread of COVID-19 are the rate of susceptible recruitment, the rate of contact, the COVID-19 infection death rate, and the likelihood of infection. In addition, sensitivity analyses are provided to examine the effect of parameter changes on subpopulations. We discovered that the natural death rate is the most sensitive parameter based on the sensitivity index after reaching equilibrium. Symmetry aspects appear in some of the visualization of the model’s solution and the BRN and parameters’ sensitivity.
MPI+OpenMP implementation of the conjugate gradient method with IC(0) preconditioner based on the use of mesh node reordering
Authors: Milyukova Olga Yurievna
Published: October 2022

The paper proposes methods for using MPI and MPI+OpenMP technologies to construct and invert the preconditioner of an incomplete triangular Cholesky decomposition without filling IC(0) for solving systems of linear algebraic equations with an arbitrary symmetric positive definite matrix. Methods of using MPI and MPI+OpenMP technologies are based on the use of grid node orderings consistent with the division of the calculation area. The use of OpenMP technology in the construction and inversion of the preconditioner is carried out for most rows of the matrix. Comparative timing results for the MPI+OpenMP and MPI implementations of the proposed preconditioning used with the conjugate gradient method for a model problems and the sparse matrix collections SuiteSparse are presented.
High power selective laser melting of crack sensitive nickel-base alloy CM247LC, including dimensional analysis and modelling
Authors: Gerstgrasser Marcel , Cloots Michael , Jakob Raphael , Stirnimann Josef , Wegener Konrad
Published: October 2022

High power parameters with increased scan velocities and beam diameters are investigated, to decrease the production time for crack sensitive alloy CM247LC. Results are compared to crack-free reference LPBF-samples in the low power range. The re-scaling approach for the high power range is based on the constant maximum laser intensity from the reference parameters in the low power range. While keeping the laser power to scan velocity ratio constant, the re-scaling approach, also called “intensity approach”, provides an initial estimation for the laser spot size in the high power range. The investigated cracks from the high power range are identified as “re-melting cracks”. Solidification or hot cracks are not observed, since the crack healing effect for those kinds of cracks still occurs. Furthermore, a melt pool depth range is discovered, where not only solidification cracks can be avoided, but also re-melting cracks, which are resulting from higher laser power inputs. This theory can be proven by further laser spot size optimization, where the melt pool depth comes closer to the mentioned range. The Archimedean density and crack density results, in case of the 600 W power parameter with 2400 mm/s scan velocity and a beam diameter of 164 µm, are close to the one obtained from the reference samples, based on 200 W. With the intensity approach and laser beam diameter optimization, the production time can be reduced by 300%. Based on dimensional analysis, a model, which combines the samples density with the crack density through the melt pool depth, is presented. Six main and two additional process and laser parameters are taken into relation. The result from the model and the measured values from experiments are in agreement. Additionally, the influence of the doubled layer thickness and an increased hatch distance by 50% with varying scan velocities on the Archimedean density and crack density is analysed.
Diabetes Type 2 in the Berlin Aging Study II: Prevalence, Incidence and Severity Over up to Ten Years of Follow-up
Authors: Spieker Johanne , Vetter Valentin Max , Drewelies Johanna , Spira Dominik , Steinhagen-Thiessen Elisabeth , Regitz-Zagrosek Vera , Buchmann Nikolaus , Demuth Ilja
Published: October 2022

Aim: To describe the prevalence, incidence, and severity of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D) and antidiabetic medication in older people and to assess the prognostic value of diagnostic laboratory parameters.
Methods: Baseline data of 1,671 participants of the Berlin Aging Study II (68.8 ±3.7 years) and follow-up data assessed 7.4 ±1.5 years later were analysed. T2D was diagnosed based on self-report, antidiabetic medication use, laboratory parameters. T2D severity was determined by the diabetes complications severity index (DCSI). Prognostic capacity of laboratory parameters was evaluated by Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) and Areas Under the Curve (AUCs).
Results: The proportion of participants with T2D increased from 12.9% (37.3% women) at baseline to 17.1% (41.1% women) with 74 incident cases and 22.2% not being aware of the disease at follow-up. More than half of the 41 newly identified incident T2D cases were diagnosed solely by the 2h-plasma glucose test (OGTT) and diagnosis based on OGTT as the only criterion among incident cases was found more frequently in women (p=0.028). The OGTT assessed at baseline predicted incident T2D less accurate in men (AUC: 0.671, 95% CI 0.570-0.771) when compared to women (AUC: 0.7893, 95% CI 0.7036-0.8751). No sex differences were detected with respect to antidiabetic medication used and T2D severity.
Conclusions: A comprehensive picture of T2D with respect to prevalence, incidence, and severity in older people is provided. Clinically relevant sex differences in the capacity of the commonly used T2D diagnostic laboratory parameters to predict incident T2D on average 7.4 years later were detected.
Extreme flooding foretold by stream network organization and flow regime
Authors: Basso Stefano , Merz Ralf , Tarasova Larisa , Miniussi Arianna
Published: October 2022

River floods are the commonest natural disaster worldwide causing substantial monetary losses and death tolls yearly. Despite enormous efforts, gauging the peril of extreme floods is an outstanding challenge for varied economic sectors and the society at large. Appraisal of the flood hazard is especially difficult when the magnitude of the rarer floods strongly increases. Limited data records in fact hinder prediction of these instances and the identification of flood divides marking the rise of progressively larger floods. Here we demonstrate that the spatial organization of stream networks and the river flow regime control the appearance of flood divides and extreme floods. Unlike their ubiquitous attribution to anomalous hydrometeorological conditions, we show for the first time that the propensity to generate extreme floods is well predicted by intrinsic properties of river basins. Most importantly it can be assessed prior to the occurrence of catastrophes through measurable metrics of these properties derived from commonly available discharge data, with far-reaching implications for flood hazard assessment and preparedness.
Prognostic factors for surgical treatment of radiation-induced scleral necrosis after brachytherapy for uveal melanoma
Authors: Jabbarli Leyla , Biewald Eva , Guberina Maja , Rating Phillipp , Fiorentzis Miltiadis , Fluehs Dirk , Guin Claudia Le , Sokolenko Ekaterina , Sauerwein Wolfgang , Bornfeld Norbert , Stuschke Martin , Bechrakis Nikolaos
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

Radiation-induced scleral necrosis (RISN) is a rare complication of brachytherapy for uveal melanoma, and may require surgical treatment in selected cases. We aimed to identify the prognostic factors for RISN treatment.

Design:

Retrospective, single-center, observational case series

Methods:

All patients with brachytherapy for uveal melanoma treated at our institution between 01/1999 and 12/2016 who developed RISN were followed until 02/2021. Various parameters were evaluated through univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis. The surgical intervention due to RISN was the principal outcome event of this study.

Results:

Of 115 patients in the final cohort, 51 individuals (44.3%) underwent RISN treatment (conjunctival revision [n = 2], patching [n = 46] or enucleation [n = 3]) at median 1.80 months after RISN occurrence. Significant RISN characteristics were summarized into a novel RISN severity scale – Grade I: largest diameter ≤ 5mm and no progression; Grade II: largest diameter > 5mm or any progression during the follow-up; Grade III: presence of uveal prolapse; and Grade IV: leakage through open eyewall perforation. In the multivariable analysis, the RISN severity scale (aHR = 2.37 per grade increase, p = 0.005) and the time between brachytherapy and RISN occurrence (< 15 months, aHR = 6.33, p < 0.0001) were independently associated with the study endpoint. The RISN severity scale showed high diagnostic accuracy for prediction of RISN treatment (AUC = 0.869).

Conclusions:

In our series, about the half of RISN cases underwent surgical treatment. The presented novel severity scale for RISN might become a helpful tool for clinical management of individuals with RISN. We recommend external validation of the diagnostic accuracy of the presented scale.
Comparison of nomogram with machine learning techniques for prediction of overall survival in patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma
Authors: Wang Peng , Xie Mingjie , Wang Xingchao , Yu Jiawei , Chen Erlin , Zhou Zhou , Niu Yuanjie , Song Wei , Ni Qingfeng , Zhu Jianwei
Published: October 2022

Background
Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RP-LPS) is a rare and overlooked tumor type. Because of the rarity and diversity RP-LPS histological subtypes, the diagnosis, treatment and prediction of survival, pose great challenges. This study compared the performance of the 8th edition TNM model, nomogram, and machine learning algorithms in predicting overall survival in patients with RP-LPS to establish a more effective predictive model for clinical use. Establishing relatively reliable survival prediction models has important implications for planning personalized care and patient counseling.
Methods
The dataset used included clinical data of 2,147 patients with RP-LPS. The machine learning algorithms evaluated included support vector machine, adaptive boosting, decision tree and random forest. These algorithms were evaluated in terms of the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and accuracy values. The performance of the algorithm that produced the optimal results was compared with the 8th edition TNM model and nomogram to better predict overall survival in patients with RP-LPS.
Results
Comparison of prediction performance indicators of each machine learning algorithm, including accuracy, AUC, F1 score, etc., revealed that the adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) algorithm produced the best prediction effect (accuracy = 69.1%, AUC = 0.70). The performance indicators of AdaBoost were further compared with the traditional TNM model and the nomogram model, and the machine learning algorithm performance was considerably better than other types of models.
Conclusions
The machine learning algorithm AdaBoost provides more personalized and reliable prognostic information of RP-LPS than the nomogram. However, the level of transparency offered by the nomogram in estimating patient outcomes is higher, which strengthened the principle of shared decision making between the patient and clinician. Therefore, a combination of a nomogram–machine learning (NomoML) predictive model may help to improve care, provide information to patients, and facilitate clinicians in making RP-LPS management-related decisions.
Bacopaside-I ameliorates motor dysfunction and neurodegeneration in rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Singh Babita , Pandey Shivani , Rumman Mohammad , Gupta Mrinal , Mahdi Abbas Ali
Published: October 2022

Chronic administration of Bacopa monnieri extract exert neuroprotective potential in multiple animal models of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression and cognitive impairments. However, its mechanism of action has remained unclear. Rotenone models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) have great potential for the investigation of PD pathology and motor and nonmotor symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of Bacopaside I (BS-I), a major triterpenoid saponin of Bacopa monnieri extract, against rotenone induced in-vivo model of PD and explored the possible molecular mechanism for therapeutic perspective. Rats were exposed to rotenone (2mg/kg body weight) for a period of 4 consecutive weeks to induce PD-like behavior. Oral treatment of BS-I (5, 15, 45 mg/kg, treated group) were started during the weeks. The behavioral data (Rotarod, foot printing and grip strength test) suggest an indication that BS-I compound plays significant role in attenuating the motor function deficit. Exposure of rotenone reduces the dopamine level and increases the oxidative stress while BS-I treatment recovers this. Furthermore, chronic administration of BS-I elevated expression levels of Dopamine transporter (DAT), Vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) genes and numbers of Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons as compared to rotenone exposed animals. This research may help to elucidate the neuroprotective effect of Bacopaside and indicated that natural saponins target the molecular signaling pathway, which may offer new therapeutic research avenues to discover novel treatments for PD.
The ameliorative effect of clove oil against the hepatotoxicity induced via cadmium exposure in rats.
Authors: Elgharib Inas , Abdelhamid Fatma , Elshopakey Gehad , Fawzy Mohamed , Risha Engy
Published: October 2022

Cadmium considered a widely distributed toxic heavy metal in the environment that affects various organs of animals and humans through the induction of oxidative stress. Clove oil of plant origin; is one of the most effective aromatic antioxidants due to its high phenolic and flavonoid contents. In addition to its antioxidant effects, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. To study the effect of clove oil against Cd toxicity, Four groups contained 5 rats each: group A (control), group B (15 mg\kg CdCl2), group C (clove oil 200mg\kg), group D (CdCl2 15 mg/kg + clove oil 200 mg\kg). All the groups swallowed by gastric lavage for 30 days. Then, all rats were sacrificed; liver tissues and blood samples were collected. The results revealed that Cd-induced hematological abnormalities with prominent anemia and hepatic damage through increasing the activities of liver enzymes ALT, AST, ALP, and the levels of direct and total bilirubin. On the other hand, levels of total protein and albumin were decreased. The hepatic antioxidant profiles exhibited decreased SOD, catalase enzyme, GST, and GSH. Meanwhile, the MDA level was increased. Inflammation of liver caused by cadmium reflected by the increased levels of TNF-α and caspase 3. Interestingly, clove oil ameliorated the Cd-induced toxicity in rats.
Currency undervaluation and export surge episodes: What sectors take off during the real exchange rate undervaluation stimulus?
Authors: Palazzo Gabriel
Published: October 2022

After a large devaluation in January of 2002, Argentina experienced six years of a stable and undervalued exchange rate (2003-2008), where the relative prices between tradable and non-tradable goods markedly changed. This six-year period shows the highest number of sectors with export surges from 1980 to 2015. What do we learn about RER undervaluation and export performance from this event? What are the main characteristics of the sectors that took advantage of the exchange rate stimulus? This paper proposes a series of hypotheses to answer these questions and test them empirically by analyzing sectoral export surges in Argentina. The main hypothesis is that labor-intensive sectors are more responsive to exchange rate movements because non-tradable costs prevail in their production function. We test this hypothesis by running a series of linear probability econometric models using the 4-digit disaggregation classification of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), revision 2. Our results are summarized as follows. First, we find that the probability of export surge episodes increased 2.5% by each standard deviation of higher labor intensity index during 2003-2008. Second, we show that export surges are more likely to occur in sectors related to already competitive sectors. Third, when assessing the cross-industry kinds of linkages, we find evidence that the probability of an export surge episode is higher in the upstream sector of those already competitive. Finally, the new export volumes in sectors with export surge episodes show persistent dynamics after the end of the undervalued period, being a signal of hysteresis in trade.
JEL Classification: F43, F14, O11.
Molecular Docking and Analysis of In Silico Generated Ligands Against SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Replicase Proteins
Authors: Okeke Ifeanyichukwu , Okeke Cosmas
Published: October 2022

By way of molecular docking, SARS-CoV-2 spike and replicase proteins were docked to a library of in silico generated ligands to identify leads with propensity to bind them with high affinity. The identified leads proved to bind these proteins with stronger affinity than the native ligand aiding in their in vivo metabolic processes. Whereby it was observed that spike protein binds to its cellular receptor with binding affinity of -4.8Kcal/mol; it binds to a non cellular analogue with -5.4, while 4twy 3BL and 5n19 D03 bind spike protein with binding affinities of -7.3Kcal/mol each. They also bind replicase protein with -8.2 and -7.2 Kcal/mol respectively. The findings indicate that the identified ligands can preferentially displace or inhibit binding of the viral proteins to their native endogenous ligands and that both cellular attachment through spike and ACE2 interaction, and viral replication process can both be inhibited by using just one of the substances identified. From the study, 5c8s G3A and 2d2d ENB were identified as the most suitable leads that are favourably disposed for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein detection from biological samples, while 3d62 959 and 1r4l XX5 were identified as leads with most suitable druglikeness against SARS-CoV-2 based on the filters from SwissADME and Molinspiration cheminformatics and therefore deserve further in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
Coronavirus vaccine hesitancy among patients attending Rheumatology clinic in North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust: An observational pilot study
Authors: Pradeep John , Saulite Vera , Maxton Fiona , Sharma Poonam , Bowyer Helen , Carmichael Debbie , Zhang Jufen
Published: October 2022

Background.
Since the start of an unprecedented vaccination campaign against Covid-19 the authors have started to come across rheumatology patients who were reluctant to have vaccination. Due to the diversity of the local population it was hypothesised that certain socio economic characteristics were predictive of vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this study was to assess the uptake of Covid-19 vaccine among patients attending rheumatology clinics in a large District General Hospital (DGH) in the East of England, as well as to establish perceived barriers in receiving Covid-19 vaccine and to assess the extent of vaccine hesitancy among the target population.
Methods.
This single centre cross-sectional observational pilot study was conducted using questionnaires distributed to patients attending rheumatology outpatients for a face to face appointment. Data were collected on baseline social and demographic characteristics as well as knowledge, attitude and behaviours regarding coronavirus vaccination. We collected 395 anonymous responses and then analysed them using descriptive statistical methods. Logistic regression models were performed to assess the associations between outcomes and demographic related variables. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit tests were used to evaluate the model fit.
Results.
There was a very high Covid-19 vaccine uptake among the sampled population (96.71%), notably higher than among the general population (90.4%) at the time of the study (1). In our study, the older population had a higher vaccine uptake (P < 0.001). White British ethnicity was a good predictor of vaccine uptake. There was no demonstrable link between educational attainment or monthly income and vaccine uptake. Older study participants tended to believe that the vaccine was safe to have whilst taking immunosuppressive medications.
Conclusions.
Our study demonstrated excellent uptake of Covid-19 vaccine in our local population attending rheumatology clinics. Being older and having white British ethnicity were strong predictors of vaccine uptake.
Robust and rapid pipeline for the development of mRNA vaccine for the fast-emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Soni Garima , Khanzode Renuka , Srivast Shalini , Pawar Sharad , Wadapurkar Rucha , Singh Sanjay , Singh Ajay
Published: October 2022

Recently, genomics has gained a lot of attention in the field of bio-therapeutics, vaccines, and gene therapy. We have developed a robust pipeline for establishing the mRNA vaccine portfolio to address the current pandemic and endemic of COVID-19, infectious diseases, and cancer. We have designed and assembled approximately 4000 base pair DNA encoding the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) using overlapping oligo-based PCR assembly. Further, we cloned this fragment into a self-amplifying mRNA platform and prepared the messenger RNA (mRNA). The integrity and sequence were confirmed through multiple orthogonal techniques such as capillary electrophoresis, Sanger DNA sequencing, and Next-generation sequencing for mRNA. The mRNA was transfected into HEK 293T cells and a significant expression of the spike protein was monitored by FACS. Herein, we propose a robust and rapid pipeline for the development of mRNA for vaccines starting from sequence analysis to identifying the lead candidate within 4–5 weeks.
Point mutation of V252 in Neomycin C epimerase enlarges substrate binding pocket and improve the accumulation of Neomycin B in Streptomyces fradiae
Authors: Li xiangfei , Yu Fei , Wang Fang , Wang Sang , Han Rumeng , Cheng Yihan , Zhao Ming , Sun Junfeng , Xue Zhenglian
Published: October 2022

Neomycin, aminoglycoside antibiotics with broad-spectrum antibacterial resistance, is widely used in pharmaceutical and agricultural fields. However, the separation and purification process of neomycin B as an active substance is complicated in Streptomyces fradiae. Although NeoN can catalyze neomycin C to generate neomycin B, the catalytic mechanism of NeoN is still unclear. In this study, whole genomics sequencing clarified the genomic information of high-yielding mutant SF-2. Subsequently, the mechanism of NeoN in catalyzing neomycin C synthesis of neomycin B was resolved based on the NeoN-SAM-neomycin C ternary complex. Finally, mutant NeoNV252A improved the activity of NeoN and the recombinant strain SF-2-NeoNV252A accumulated neomycin B 16766.6 U/mL and the ratio of neomycin C decreased from 16.1–6.28% relative to the starting strain SF-2. In summary, this work had analyzed the catalytic mechanism of NeoN, which had certain reference significance for rationally design NeoN to improve the production of neomycin B and weaken the proportion of neomycin C.
Association of co-existence of insomnia with cognitive decline on BDNF concentration in serum samples from older adults
Authors: Sánchez-García Sergio , Moreno-Tamayo Karla , Ramírez-Aldana Ricardo , García-Peña Carmen , Medina-Campos Raúl Hernán , Torre Paola García de la , Rivero-Segura Nadia Alejandra
Published: October 2022

Aging has been defined as a biological process characterized by the functional decline of organs and systems leading to vulnerability and a susceptible state for developing neuronal, musculoskeletal, behavioral, and cardiovascular diseases and disorders. Sleep disorders, including insomnia, are common during aging, and these conditions have been associated with memory and cognitive decline in older adults. However, the molecular bases of such phenomenon have not been thoroughly described. Moreover, during the aging process, neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and neurotrophins decrease significantly, leading to the impairment of cognitive functions. In this sense, BDNF, the most abundant neurotrophic factor in the human brain, has been suggested as a potential target for the prevention and improvement of cognitive decline during aging; however, the current evidence demonstrates the exogenous administration of BDNF does not improve cognitive function. Hence, in the present study, we quantified pro-BDNF (inactive) and BDNF (active) concentrations in serum samples derived from older individuals with insomnia and/or cognitive decline. We used linear regression to analyze whether clinical or sociodemographic variables impacted the levels of BNDF concentration. We observed that insomnia, rather than cognitive decline, is significantly associated with BDNF concentration, and these effects are independent of other variables. To our knowledge, this is the first study that points to the impact of insomnia on improving the levels of BDNF during aging and suggests that opportune treatment of insomnia may be more beneficial to prevent cognitive decline during aging.
Clinical nurse competence and its effect on patient safety culture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zaitoun Rasha Abu , Said Nizar B. , de Tantillo Lila
Published: October 2022

Background: Unsafe health practices are one of the leading causes of disability and even death. Competent nurses are crucial to ensure safe and high-quality health care services. The patient safety culture is concerned with internalizing safety beliefs, values, and attitudes, translating them into health care practices, and committing to maintain an error-free health environment. A high level of competence ensures the achievement and compliance with the safety culture goal. Objective This systematic review aims to identify the relationship between the level of nursing competence and the safety culture score and perception among nurses at their workplace.
Methods: Four international online databases were searched to find relevant studies published between 2018 and 2022. Peer-reviewed articles using quantitative methods, targeting nursing staff, written in English were included. After reviewing 117 identified articles, 16 full-text studies were included. The PRISMA 2020 checklist for systematic reviews was used.
Results: Evaluation of the articles indicates safety culture, competency, and perception are assessed using a wide variety of instruments. Safety culture was generally perceived as positive. No unique and standard tool has been developed to investigate the effect of safety competency on the perception of the safety culture in a standardized way.
Conclusions: Existing research provides evidence of a positive correlation between the nursing competence and patient safety score. Future research is recommended to investigate ways to measure the effect of nursing competency level on safety culture in health care institutions. Relevance for Clinical Practice Clinicians and leaders in the clinical setting may consider applying the findings of this study to address nursing competence as a component of addressing the patient safety culture in their practice setting.
Investigation on the time-varying meshing stiffness and dynamic characteristics of steel-plastic gear pair
Authors: Xiong Yangshou , Yu Dongyang , Huang Kang , Zhu Guodong , Zhai Hua
Published: October 2022

Large errors in time-varying mesh stiffness calculations of steel-plastic gears can result from the use of the potential energy method.Therefore, this paper considers the meshing characteristics and material properties of the steel-plastic gear pair, and proposes a method to calculate the time-varying mesh stiffness. The influence of load change on the time-varying mesh stiffness and dynamic performance of the steel-plastic gear pair is also considered. The simulation results show that the stiffness changes linearly with the load. The dynamic performance of the steel-plastic gear pair deteriorates with the increase in load. Under the same load condition, the dynamic response considering the effects of premature and extended tooth contact is better than that of the gear pair that does not consider the premature and extended tooth contact; this advantage is more evident at higher load.
Does digital financial inclusion reduce the risk of returning to poverty? Evidence from China
Authors: Xu Fang , Zhang Xiaoru , Zhou Di
Published: October 2022

Digital financial inclusion has become an important way to reduce poverty and prevent poverty return; however, few studies examine the relationship between digital financial inclusion measurement with poverty return governance. Based on data from the 2017 China Household Financial Survey, we construct a digital financial inclusion indicator for micro-households, and explore its impact on the risk of households returning to poverty and its mechanism of action. Our findings suggest that digital financial inclusion can reduce the risk of Chinese families returning to poverty, and that it has heterogeneous effects on families and regions with different characteristics. The main function is to improve household income level by promoting entrepreneurship and employment, and to improve risk resistance by enhancing household financial market participation and household asset allocation. Further analysis shows that digital financial inclusion has structural effects, nonlinear effects, and substitution effects with private lending in poverty governance. This paper has implications for understanding and improving the poverty governance effectiveness of digital financial inclusion.
JEL Codes: D14; I32; O33
Mitochondrial redox stress based treatment of hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Bai Yunhu , Li Kenan , Li Xiaodong , Chen Xiyu , Zheng Jie , Wu Feifei , Chen Jinghao , Li Ze , Zhang Shuai , Wu Kun , Chen Yong , Wang Yayun , Yang Yan-Ling
Published: October 2022

Increased GABAergic tone in the substantia nigra reticulum (SNr) causes bradykinesia in hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but its mechanisms need to be further elucidated. In the present study, FosCreERT2 (TRAP2) strategy and designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) strategy revealed that MHE and ammonia activated SNr Gad2-expressing GABA population and mitochondria in such population were sensitive to ammonia imbalance. We have shown that the chemogenetic inhibition of this population, or targeted overexpression of mitochondrial Ucp2 in such population, or systemic application of a mitochondrial-targeting antioxidant drug MitoQ, could ameliorate HE effectively, by relieving neuronal oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results identify activation of Gad2 neurons and oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial abnormalities in SNr as critical determinants in HE and demonstrate the potential for targeting this pathway in HE.
Quality of sexual life and associated factors: a cross-sectional survey of Chinese breast cancer patients
Authors: Suo Rongfei , Ye Fenglian , Xie Minyi , Wu Yuzhen , Li Fulan , Kuang Shumin , Wang Rongli , Yang Xiaoyue
Published: October 2022

Purpose
This study aimed to explore Chinese breast cancer patients’ quality of sexual life and factors associated with quality of sexual life.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 201 breast cancer patients were required to complete questionnaires assessing characteristic information, cognition and assessment of sexual health, quality of sexual life, self-acceptance and coping style. Finally, hierarchical regression was used to analyze the factors associated with quality of sexual life in Chinese breast cancer patients.
Results
The average quality of sexual life was 75.14 ± 16.57. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the associated factors of breast cancer patients’ quality of sexual life included age, education level, type of surgery, cognition and assessment of sexual health, self-acceptance, and avoidance and acceptance-resignation coping styles.
Conclusion
Concerning age, education level and type of surgery, obtaining correct information on sexual health, improving self-acceptance, and avoiding acceptance-resignation and avoidance coping styles could help breast cancer patients improve their quality of sexual life.
A Model for the Preparation of C4 Olefin by Ethanol Coupling Based on Intelligent Algorithm
Authors: Duan Ying , Zhou Jiayi , Zhou Keping , Sun Liying
Published: October 2022

With the shortage of fossil fuels and environmental pollution, traditional butanol and C4 olefins must be developed as green, sustainable and alternative energy sources for the preparation of industrial chemicals. Ethanol molecules can be prepared using catalysts, are widely available and are environmentally friendly. Therefore, itis of great significance and to explore the process conditions for the preparation of ethanol-coupled C4 olefins. According to the different situations of each problem, this study first uses the analytic hierarchy process to analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of the catalyst combination, and builds a nonlinear regression model. The FCM-RBF network modeling method was than compared with the corresponding analysis method and cytogenetic algorithm, and the relationship between the ethanol conversion rate and catalyst combination was obtained. Furthermore, combined with the critical solution method and niche genetic algorithm, an optimization model was established for the highest C4 olefin yield, and the theoretical maximum value of the C4 olefin yield was obtained.
The vulnerability of international floating population to sexually transmitted diseases: a qualitative study
Authors: Jiang Jiahan , Zhou Yuyin , Cheng Feng , Xu Junfang , Wang Zhaochen
Published: October 2022

With the rapid development of worldwide economy and globalization, the health of international floating population especially sexual health has become a problem can not be ignored. This study explored the potential vulnerability of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from the aspects of society, religion, culture, migration, community environment and personal behaviors. The in-depth exploratory interviews with 51 international floating people living in China were conducted in June and July 2022. We found that the conservative culture under the shackles of religion leads to the lack of sex education, resulting in insufficient personal knowledge and a lack of motivation and awareness to negotiate condom use in sexual contact. Additionally, geographical isolation and the reduction of informal social supervision led to the sudden expansion of personal space, which challenges the ability of individuals to cope with STD risk together with social isolation and marginalization, and increases the possibility of individuals engaging in risky behaviors.
Role of a novel neuroblastoma amplified sequence mutation, c.1342T>C (p.Cys448Arg), in an infant with fever-triggered recurrent acute liver failure
Authors: Chu Xin , Ji Juhua , Yang Mingming , Jia JunJun , Wu Qi , cui Hengxiang , Zhu Baofeng
Published: October 2022

Mutations localized in the neuroblastoma amplified sequence (NBAS) gene correlate with infantile liver failure syndrome 2. In this study, we identified a novel NBAS mutation in a 26-month-old Chinese female diagnosed with fever-triggered recurrent acute liver failure (ALF). The proband exhibited highly elevated liver enzymes, severe coagulopathy, and acute renal failure. Whole-exome and Sanger sequencing revealed that the proband carried a compound heterozygous missense mutation in NBAS c.938_939delGC and c.1342T > C (p.Cys448Arg), the former of which causes a truncated NBAS protein without normal function and the latter of which affects evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The ratio of peripheral CD3+, CD4+, and CD45 + to CD3+, CD8+, and CD45 + cells was lower in the patient than in children without ALF. Moreover, the c.1342T > C mutation reduced the expression of NBAS mRNA and protein, enriched intracellular reactive oxygen species, and induced cell apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in in vitro cell models. Our study clarifies the mechanism by which NBAS mutations regulate ALF progression. Furthermore, we suggest employing NBAS gene detection in children with unexplained fever-triggered recurrent ALF or liver dysfunction.
A three-sub-step composite method for the analysis of rigid body rotation with Euler parameters
Authors: Ji Yi , Xing Yufeng
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes a composite method for the analysis of rigid body rotation based on Euler parameters. The proposed method contains three sub-steps, wherein for keeping as much low-frequency information as possible the first two sub-steps adopt the trapezoidal rule, and the four-point backward interpolation formula is used in the last sub-step to flexibly control the amount of high-frequency dissipation. On this basis, in terms of the relation between Euler parameters and angular velocity, the stepping formulations of the proposed method are further modified for maximizing the accuracy of the angular velocity. For the analysis of rigid body rotation, the accuracy of the proposed method can converge to second-order, and the amount of its high-frequency dissipation can smoothly range from one (conservative scheme) to zero (annihilating scheme). Additionally, in the proposed method, the constraints at the displacement and velocity levels are strictly satisfied, and the numerical drifts at the acceleration level can be effectively eliminated. Several benchmark rigid body rotation problems show the advantages of the proposed method in stability, accuracy, dissipation, efficiency, and energy conservation.
Impact of coping strategies on activities and participation restrictions in adults with unilateral hearing loss in Japan: A survey
Authors: OKANO Yumi , HIROTA Eiko , HARASHIMA Tsuneo
Published: October 2022

Background
Unilateral hearing loss (UHL) causes difficulty in communication in certain environments. There is limited research on environmental factors that increase the hearing difficulty of patients with UHL. Thus is necessary to clarify the effect of coping strategies, which are individual factors, on the activities and participation restrictions of patients with UHL.
Methods
A questionnaire was prepared based on experiences from six patients, and patients were selected using the snowball sampling method. The questionnaire comprised of 17 items; 12 items related to “activities/participation” restrictions and five related to “coping strategies.” The questionnaire was administered online on a UHL community page on a social networking site.
Results
Responses were obtained from 135 UHL patients. Over 90% of patients with UHL answered “activities/participation” restrictions, such as “concerns over seating position” and worry that they may be causing “discomfort to communication partners.” The scores of “activities/participation” were strongly correlated with “focus on attention” and “pretending to have heard.”
Conclusions
Negative coping strategies increase activities/participation restrictions. Therefore, it is crucial to provide appropriate guidance on coping strategies that effectively improve communication in patients with UHL.
Coupled mixed-potential and thermal hydraulics model for long-term uniform corrosion of copper canisters for storing spent nuclear fuel
Authors: Choi Sungyeol , Chae Nakkyu , Park Samuel , Seo Seungjin , Foster Richard , Ju Heejae
Published: October 2022

Canister performance is a major issue for constructing reliable deep geological repositories for storing spent nuclear fuels, and corrosion resistance is main the factor determining canister durability. We developed a 2-D multiphysics model, which can predict both the corrosion rate and potential, for simulating copper canister corrosion in deep geological repositories. We found that canisters corroded through the long-cell action in a deep geological repository, the corrosion was quite limited, and the overall canister durability was around 1.7 million years. Our results demonstrated that copper exhibits sufficient corrosion resistance and that long-cell action-based corrosion cannot severely damage copper canisters.
Development of latent fingerprints using colored inclusion complex powders of Cationic β-cyclodextrin with organic dyes from wastewater effluents
Authors: Zhang Manyan , Shi Wenzhao , Liu Jinshu , Cui Shanshan , Zhou Hongjuan , Su Guoxin
Published: October 2022

Colored powders were widely applied to develop latent fingerprints (LFPs) on various substrates in forensic science; however, few researches involved the recycle of the organic dyes removed from wastewater effluents as developing agent. Therefore, colored inclusion complex powders (CICPs) of cationic β-cyclodextrin with Acid Red G as simulated dye from wastewater effluents were prepared and used in the development of LFPs on different substrates. The formation of the CICPs was confirmed by FT-IR, SEM and DSC. Excellent visualization images of latent fingerprints developed with CICPs, especially for latent fingerprints deposited on the smooth and non-porous surface, can be obtained quickly by the powder method. The Level 3 features of fingerprints such as pores were observed clearly and benefit for identification. Meanwhile, the developing performance of latent fingerprints can be maintained for 15 days, indicating that the CICPs showed good stability and was expected to be practically applied in forensic science.
Valorising Waste PET Bottles into Carbon Anodes for Li-ion Battery using Ionothermal Carbonisation: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Onwucha Chizoom N. , Ehi-Eromosele Cyril O. , Ajayi Samuel O. , Siyanbola Tolutope O. , Ajanaku Kolawole O.
Published: October 2022

Waste PET bottles (WPB) is fast becoming an environmental nuisance and its valorization to carbon anode could be a sustainable method to manage this waste and also develop cheap and high-performance carbon materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Carbonaceous materials derived from WPB were prepared using an ionothermal carbonization (ITC) method in choline chloride urea-deep eutectic solvent system. The ITC-derived materials were subsequently annealed in air to obtain carbonaceous materials. The ITC-derived carbon displayed ultra-high nitrogen doping but lesser carbonization and graphitic ordering compared to the reference carbon material obtained using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Therefore, higher temperature annealing/pyrolysis was recommended for the ITC-derived carbon. The HTC-derived carbon was investigated as anode material in LIB with promising electrochemical performance. The LIB displayed stable reversible capacity of about 130 mAh/g at a current density of 0.1 mA/g after 20 cycles and an increasing Coulombic efficiency that reached 98% after the 50th cycle. This work shows that a facile and sustainable synthesis method could be used to produce cheap activated carbons with potential applications in energy storage systems such as LIBs.
Enhanced kinship verification analysis based on color and texture handcrafted techniques
Authors: Nader Nermeen , EL-Gamal Fatma EL-Zahraa , Elmogy Mohammed
Published: October 2022

Nowadays, kinship verification is considered an attractive research area with a great interest in computer vision. It significantly affects applications in the real world, such as finding missing individuals, forensics, and genealogical research. However, verifying kinship relations between people using facial images is not straightforward. Many limitations affect kinship verification accuracy. Therefore, this paper proposes a new approach for verifying kinship based on facial image analysis. The proposed approach goes into six stages: preprocessing, feature extraction, feature normalization, feature fusion, feature representation, and kinship verification. The preprocessing stage is responsible for converting RGB images into other color models. Different types of handcrafted feature descriptors (i.e., color and texture descriptors) are extracted in the feature extraction stage. The texture features are represented by scale invariant feature transform (SIFT), local binary pattern (LBP), and heterogeneous auto-similarities of characteristics (HASC), whereas the color features are represented by color correlogram (CC) and dense color histogram (DCH). Then, all the features are set to the same range in the feature normalization stage to be suitable for feature fusion. The feature fusion stage takes place where the different types of features are concatenated together. Next, in the feature representation stage, the parent and child features are gathered into one feature vector. Finally, the kinship verification stage produces the final decision of being kin or non-kin using the gentle AdaBoost ensemble classifier. KinFaceW-I and KinFaceW-II datasets were used to evaluate the proposed approach, where the obtained results were 79.54\% and 90.65\%, respectively. It is noteworthy that the proposed approach outperforms many state-of-the-art approaches that verify kinship, including those dependent on metric learning and deep convolutional neural nets (CNNs).
Platelet-rich fibrin vs. local buccal advancement flap for closure of oroantral communications: A prospective clinical study
Authors: Hunger Stefan , Krennmair Stefan , Krennmair Gerald , Otto Sven , Postl Lukas , Nadalini Danilo-Marc
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesThis study compared the clinical outcome as well as the wound healing course, the displacement of the mucogingival border (MGB) and the pain level between the use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and buccal advancement flap (BAF) for the closure of oroantral communications (OAC).Material and MethodsFifty eligible patients with an OAC defect larger than 3 mm were randomly assigned either to PRF (test group, n = 25) or BAF (control group, n = 25) for defect closure. In a prospective follow-up program the defect closure healing process, the scoring of the wound healing course by Landry wound healing index (score: 0–5) as well as the displacement of the MGB and the postoperative pain score were evaluated.ResultsFive patients in each group were lost to follow-up resulting in 40 patients (20 in each group) for continuous evaluation. At postoperative day 21 (study endpoint) a non-significant difference regarding success rate (defined as closure of OAC) was noticed between the test (90%; 18/20) and control group (90%; 18/20). A univariate analysis showed significant differences for age and defect size/height for the use of PRF between successful-tight and open–failed defect healing. At the final evaluation, a significant (p = 0.005) better wound healing score, a lower displacement of the MGB as well as lower pain-score were seen for the use of PRF.ConclusionsPRFis promising regarding defect healing outcome.Clinicalrelevance The defect size should be taken into account when choosing the number and size of PRF plugs used.