bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
No increase in body mass index in a healthy Chinese population during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Ye Ya-Fei , Chen Ya-Hong , Xu Hong-Fang , Jiesisibieke Zhu Liduzi , Tung Tao-Hsin , Zhang Mei-Xian
Published: January 2023

Background The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic continues to spread worldwide. This study aimed to investigate (1) the change in body mass index (BMI) before and after the COVID-19 outbreak and (2) the impact of behaviours on BMI during the quarantine period.
Methods We recruited 197 healthy adults who underwent a physical examination within two months after the Spring Festival holidays of 2018, 2019 and 2020 in Taizhou, China. Of them, 138 respondents answered a questionnaire on lifestyle behaviours during the quarantine period. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression models were used to analyse the impact of behaviours during the quarantine period on changes in BMI.
Results The average BMI of the population increased from 2018 to 2019 (P<0.05) and then decreased from 2019 to 2020 (P>0.05). The proportion of BMI increase after the COVID-19 outbreak was significantly lower than that in the previous year (41.6% vs. 59.4%, paired χ2=8.151, P=0.002). Young age and living in an urban area were risk factors for a BMI increase in men from 2019 to 2020 (P<0.05), while the habit of eating late-night snacks increased the risk of higher BMI in women (OR=6.11, 95% CI: 1.87–19.98, P<0.05).
Conclusions The results of this study demonstrated that there was no significant increase in BMI among the healthy population during the COVID-19 outbreak. Late-night snacking should be discouraged to prevent BMI increases, especially in at-risk women.
Level of Evidence: Level III，well-designed cohort
A hybrid DNA editing-inspired gray wolf algorithm for kinetic parameter estimation of oxidation in supercritical water
Authors: Qin Zhenhua
Published: January 2023

A chemical kinetics model can be used to analyze the influence of various factors (such as concentrations, pressures, temperatures, and catalysts.) on reaction rates. It is the basis of process design, optimization and control. However, the chemical kinetics model often contains multiple adjustable parameters, which are very difficult to estimate accurately through experimental data by using traditional methods. In this paper, a hybrid DNA-GWO algorithm is proposed to obtain an accurate kinetics model. Inspired by the genetic operation, a new DNA crossover operator and mutation operator are designed to enhance the diversity of individuals and prevent prematurity. The effectiveness is proven by numerical experiments on benchmark functions, and the operators are compared with the basic GWO and PSO operators. The kinetic parameter estimation results on experimental supercritical water oxidation data also indicate the better search capability of the model.
Assisting Drivers around Stop Sign Road Intersections and Connected Vehicles
Authors: Younes Maram Bani
Published: January 2023

Road intersections are shared among several conflicted traffic flows. Stop signs have been used to safely control the competing traffic flows at road intersections. Then, driving rules are constructed to control the competing traffic flows at these stop sign road intersections. Vehicles have to apply a complete stop with no motion in front of stop signs. First to arrive, first to go, straight before turns, and right then left are the main driving rules at stop sign intersections. Drivers have to be aware of the stop sign’s existence, the architecture of the signalized road intersection, and traffic distribution in the competing traffic flows. This is in order to take the best decision to pass the intersection or to wait for other conflicted flows to pass according to the current situation. Due to bad weather conditions, obstacles, or heavy existing vehicles, drivers may miss capturing the stop sign. Moreover, the architecture of the road intersection and the characteristics of the competing traffic flows are not always clear to the drivers. In this work, we aim to keep the driver ahead of time aware of the existing stop signs, the architecture of the road intersection, and the traffic characteristics of the competing traffic flow at the targeted destination. Besides, the best speed and driving behaviors are recommended to each driver. This is based on his/her position and the distribution of the existing traffic there. From the experimental results, we can see that the proposed driving assistant protocol has succeeded to enhance the safety conditions around road intersections controlled by stop signs. This is by reducing the percentage of accident occurrences. Fortunately, the traffic efficiency of these road intersections has also been enhanced.
Arbitrary bias control of LiNbO3 based Mach-Zehnder Intensity Modulators for QKD system
Authors: Teng Jun , Wang Shuang , Yin Zhen-Qiang , Chen Wei , Fan-Yuan Guan-Jie , Guo Guang-Can , Han Zheng-Fu
Published: January 2023

Quantum key distribution (QKD) can help distant agents to share unconditional secret keys, andthe achievable secret key rate can be enhanced with the help of decoy-state protocol. To implementQKD experimentally, the agents are supposed to accurately transmit a number of different intensitypulses with the LiNbO3 based Mach-Zehnder (LNMZ) intensity modulator. However, the bias driftof LNMZ intensity modulator may affect the performance of a QKD system. In this letter, we reveala simple RC circuit model to demonstrate the bias drift in the LNMZ intensity modulator. Andbased on the model, we propose a multi-step bias stable scheme to control the bias working point.Experimental result shows that our scheme can eliminate the bias drift of at arbitrary working pointwithin a long time range. Besides, there is no need of any feedback mechanisms in the scheme. Thismeans our scheme will not lead to any increasement in system complexity, making it more suitablefor a QKD system.
Morpho-chemical characterization of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) genotypes
Authors: ÖZTÜRK Ahmet , KURNAZ Onur Can , Faizi Zaki Ahmad
Published: January 2023

Morphological and chemical characterization of loquat genotypes to select superior genotypes was carried out between 2018-2021 in the coastal region of Black Sea. In the study, characterization of 70 genotypes with 20 g and above fruit weight of loquat which are grown as chance seedlings in the mentioned region were done. We found soluble solide contents between 6.95-18.30%, acidity 0.22-0.82%, SSC/acidity ratio 16.39-67.68%, pH 2.85-4.94, dry matter ratio 47.29-54.73%, fresh weigt 35.13-103.76 g, and dry weight 20.78-85.59 g. Considering morphological characteristics we found leaf width between 5.41-12.71 cm, leaf length 15.63-41.22 cm, leaf length/width ratio 1.37-5.57%, petiole diameter 3.74-8.00 mm, petiole length 8.87-46.72 mm, and leaf area between 77.59-312.92 cm2. Correlation between SSCAcR and AC (0.836) obtained strongly negative. While DW and FREWE (0.636), pH and SSCAcR (0.544) showed significantly stronge positive correlation. In case of chemical characteristics, percentage of variences of components 1 to 5 respectively observed (29.13%, 20.37%, 14.96%, 10.84%, and 10.22%) which cumulatively encompassed 85.54% of variances. In case of morphological characteristics, correlation between LWi and LLWR (-0.670), LL and LLWR (0.597), LWi and PD (0.311), LLWR and PD (-0.312), PD and PL (-0.260) obtained significant at P<0.05. Percentage of variance explained by each principle component from component 1 to 4 respectively observed (28.54%, 22.18%, 16.06%, and 10.70%) which cumulatively encompassed 77.50% of variances. As a conclusion out of 70 evaluated genotypes, the genotypes GN10, GN14, GN50, GN68 and GN69 were determined as superior based on high scores of “Weighed Rating”which they received, and we are suggecting them for further consideration.
Fine dust after sanding untreated and thermally modified spruce, oak, and meranti wood
Authors: Sydor Maciej , Majka Jerzy , Hanincová Luďka , Kučerka Martin , Kminiak Richard , Krišťák Ľuboš , Pędzik Marta , Rogoziński Tomasz
Published: January 2023

Airborne wood dust causes health and safety hazards in the construction and furniture industry. The study verified whether the thermal modification affects the share of the finest wood dust particles (< 10 μm) created by sanding oak, spruce, and meranti wood. The experimental research included nine variants of materials (three species of wood in three states: untreated, thermally modified at 160°C, and thermally modified at 220°C). A belt sander with a dust collector allowed the collection of at least 200 g of each dust variant (P80 sandpaper and 10 m/s belt speed). Next, a set of sieves with 2000, 1000, 500, 250, and 125 µm aperture sizes was used to recognize the gradation of the wood particle aggregate. A laser particle sizer was used to determine details of dust with particle sizes smaller than 125 μm. The size distribution of the finest particles was analyzed in four fractions with particle sizes < 2.5, 2.5-4, and 4-10 μm. The results show that, surprisingly, sanding dust from thermally modified wood generates a lower average mass share of potentially harmful particle fractions than dust from untreated wood. When comparing tested wood species, it is noticed that oak dust has a higher proportion of the best particles than spruce and Meranti dust. Dust from thermally modified oak and meranti has a lower content of harmful particle fractions than dust from untreated wood. The average mass shares of these dust fractions formed during the sanding of modified wood at 160 and 220°C are not significantly different (p <0.05). The opposite was observed in the case of spruce wood because spruce dust has a low content of fine fractions, and its particles have a more irregular elongated shape. The study took into account the extreme temperatures used in the thermal modification of wood (160 and 220°C), then it can be assumed that the statements mentioned above are valid in all intermediate thermos-modification temperatures.
High-performance robust 2D graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets embedded membranes for desalination through direct contact membrane distillation
Authors: ashrafian Sahar , Saljoughi Ehsan , Mousavi Seyed Mahmoud , Jahanshahi Mohsen
Published: January 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based membranes have received widespread attention in the last ten years due to their fantastic separation performance. In the present investigation, for the first time, we tried to assess the desalination performance of membranes incorporated with g-C3N4 nanosheets through the membrane distillation (MD) process. for this purpose, different concentrations (0-0.06 wt.%) of synthesized nanosheets were embedded as fillers within the hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix by using simple phase inversion method. Various techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM, water contact angle and LEP, tensile strength measurements as well as direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) experiments were utilized to study the effect of the g-C3N4 contents on the elemental properties, crystalline structure, morphology, topography, surface hydrophobicity, mechanical resistance, and desalination performance of the membranes. The surface roughness parameters suggest that the membrane surface became even rougher by integrating g-C3N4 nanosheets into the membrane matrix. Upon loading with a small amount of 0.03 wt.% g-C3N4 in the polymer network, the water contact angle and LEP augmented from circa 80.5º and 6 bar for the pure PVDF membrane to 95.2º and 8 bar, respectively. Adding the g-C3N4 nanosheets also improved the mechanical properties of the PVDF membrane; so that, both the tensile strength and the elongation at break increased to 21.32% and 36.46% in comparison to the pristine PVDF membrane, respectively. The prepared mixed matrix membranes favorably improved MD performance; so that, 0.03 wt.% g-C3N4 embedded membrane exhibited a flux of 27.63 kg/m2h with an enhancement of 70% relative to its pure counterpart, despite having a trace amount of the nanosheets. Continuous testing for up to 24 h filtration of a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution still showed a stable flux and almost complete salt rejection (i.e., 100%) for the mentioned mixed matrix membrane. This work holds promise for developing next-generation MD membranes with superior desalination performance in terms of water vapor permeability and salt rejection.
SNARE-ing the reason for post-cardiac surgery critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency
Authors: Diehl Nicholas , Kibiryeva Nataliya , Marshall Jennifer , Erickson Lori
Published: January 2023

Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) can cause hemodynamic instability in neonates after congenital heart surgery with manifestations that increase morbidity and potential mortality. We retrospectively reviewed neonates who underwent cardiac surgery between August 2018 to July 2020 at a Midwest freestanding children’s hospital. Of the 96 neonates who had cardiac surgery, for further inclusion, neonates had to have had both a cortisol level and next gene sequencing (NGS) drawn as a standard of care after cardiac surgery. Demographics and surgical outcomes were compared. Groups were defined by CIRCI with a cortisol level < 4.5 mcg/dL and non-CIRCI groups (level > 4.5 mcg/dL). DNA-Seq analysis was performed for each neonate in the DNA module of Partek FLOW software and filtered for confidence of mutations of 20 or above. Analysis excluded all common variants (detectable in more than 1% of the general population). Additionally, Bowtie2 was used to align reads to hg38 and Partek Genotype likelihood algorithm to identify a list of aberrations for each neonate. Those de-identified cohorted groups (CIRCI and non-CIRCI) were uploaded into Clinical Insight (Qiagen) for variant interpretation with biologic filters of pulmonary hypertension and hemodynamic instability. Neonates included in study analysis (n=16) demonstrated 206,409 variants which were then evaluated through biological filters. Similar types of cardiac diagnosis and surgeries were seen with trending rates of higher reintubation rate and longer lengths of stay within the CIRCI group. Seven gene mutations were found present in 75-100% of neonates with CIRCI (n=8) with 0-25% incidence of those corresponding mutations in neonates in the non-CIRCI group (n=8). CIRCI group had 100% incidence of heterozygous gene mutation on STX1A with splicing or loss of function with no findings of this mutation in the non-CIRCI group. Additional gene mutations were found in CIRCI group on RAB6A, ABCA3, SIDT2, and LILRB3 with no incidence in the non-CIRCI group. There were three additional mutations found across CIRCI 3Click here to enter text. group in INPPL1 and FAM189A2 (both splicing and missense) with 12-25% of patients in the non-CIRCI group also displaying these mutations. Novel genetic abnormalities were seen in neonates with symptoms of CIRCI with potential cardiac implications from gene mutation for STX1A. Additionally, compounding effects of the same patients having gene mutations on RAB6A, ABCA3, SIDT2, and LILRB3, INPPL1, and FAM189A2 need to be confirmed and explored for potential predisposition for hemodynamic instability during times of stress. Long-term potential aligns with the development of a genetic biomarker panel to be performed prior to neonatal cardiac surgery to identify genes predisposing neonates to the development of postoperative complications of CIRCI.
Modeling Climate Variability and Global Sugar Cane Production: Empirical Consideration for Collective Policy Action
Authors: Headley Hepziba , Moonsammy Stephan , Davis Harold , Adams Ashley , Oyedotun Temitope , Warner Devin
Published: January 2023

The potential impacts of climate change and sugar cane production is well documented in the literature but majority of the studies have focused on models that look at national level impacts. This paper presents a global impact model on sugar cane production due to variations in temperature and rainfall with the intention to observe the collective challenges that sugar cane production is facing with across the world. The study conducted a trend analysis with time series data for sugar cane production, productivity per hectare of sugar cane lands, annual temperature and annual rainfall recorded for the top sugar cane exporters across the world. The study also developed a panel regression model to empirically establish the relationship between production levels and temperature and rainfall. The findings of the study showed that production levels are increasing in some countries while declining in others. Cyclical patterns of production was also observed that seem to vary with cyclical patterns of rainfall. The regression model showed a positive relationship between production and rainfall and a negative relationship between production and temperature. The main conclusion drawn is that as global temperatures continue to increase, then there will be a global decline in the sugarcane industry. This global model for sugar cane and climate change is geared towards showing the collective impacts of climate change experienced by different countries and to encourage from an empirical standpoint, more collective policy actions to protect the industry as a global market.
Constructing integrated thermal conductive and flame retardant filler network in ceramifiable epoxy composites
Authors: Kong Lingcheng , Zhao Dong , Wang Tingwei , Jiang Guodong , Jiang Genjie , Shen Yucai
Published: January 2023

Simultaneously improving the thermal conductivity and flame resistance of epoxy composite is still a challenge. Herein, a novel epoxy composite with high thermal conductivity and greatly enhanced flame retardancy was developed through constructing integrated three-dimensional (3D) network based on boron nitride (BN), talc, ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The thermal conductivity of the composite with filler network reached 3.04 Wm− 1K− 1, which was 15.2 and 3.1 times of those of pure epoxy and sample with random filler distribution. The LOI value of the composite with filler network reached 37.8%, which was 1.9 and 1.4 times of those of pure epoxy and sample with random filler distribution, respectively. In addition, the effects of various combinations of filler on the flame resistance of the epoxy composite was also evaluated. The prepared composite with filler network exhibited excellent shape stability and mechanical strength even after ablation at 1000°C. The network structure constructed by BN had a positive effect on heat transfer, while APP led to the formation of phosphoric acid at high temperature, adhering to talc and other residues together. A ceramic-like residue was formed on the firing surface, which enhanced the barrier effect of char layer and flame resistance of the composite.
Induction of SARS-CoV-2 N-specific CD8+ T cell immunity in lungs by engineered extracellular vesicles associates with strongly impaired viral replication
Authors: Manfredi Francesco , Chiozzini Chiara , Ferrantelli Flavia , Leone Patrizia , Pugliese Katherina , Spada Massimo , Virgilio Antonio di , Giovannelli Andrea , Valeri Mauro , Cara Andrea , Michelini Zuleika , Andreotti Mauro , Federico Maurizio
Published: January 2023

Induction of effective immunity in lungs should be a pre-requisite for any vaccine designed to control the severe pathogenic effects generated by respiratory infectious agents. In the case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection, vaccination is expected to associate with significant inhibition of viral replication in lungs. We recently provided evidence that the generation of endogenous extracellular vesicles (EVs) engineered for the incorporation of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) protein can protect K18-hACE2 transgenic mice from the lethal intranasal infection with the ancestral Wuhan isolate. Actually, it was widely demonstrated that these transgenic mice succumb to SARS-CoV-2 intranasal infection mainly as a consequence of the viral invasiveness of central nervous system, a pathogenetic mechanism almost absent in humans. On the other hand, K18-hACE2 transgenic mice support viral replication in lungs, an event strictly mirroring the major pathogenic signature linked to the severe disease in humans. However, nothing is known about the ability of N-specific CD8+ T cell immunity induced by engineered EVs in controlling viral replication in lungs. To fill the gap, we investigated the immunity generated in lungs by N-engineered EVs in terms of induction of N-specific effectors and resident memory CD8+ T lymphocytes before and after virus challenge carried out three weeks and three months after boosting. At the same time points, viral replication extents in lungs were evaluated. We found that three weeks after second immunization, virus replication was reduced in mice best responding to vaccination by more than 3-logs compared to control group. The impaired viral replication matched with a reduced induction of Spike-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes. The antiviral effect appeared similarly strong when the viral challenge was carried out 3 months after boosting. This inhibitory effect associated with the persistence of a N-specific CD8+ T-resident memory lymphocytes in lungs of N-immunized mice. In view of the quite conserved sequence of the N protein among SARS-CoV-2 variants, these results support the idea that a vaccine strategy focused on the induction of anti-N CD8+ T cell immunity in lungs has the potential to control the replication of emerging variants
Construction and evaluation of clinical prediction model for immunotherapy-related adverse events and clinical benefit in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors based on serum cytokine levels
Authors: Zhao Ni , Jiang Aimin , Shang Xiao , Zhao Fumei , Wang Ruoxuan , Fu Xiao , Ruan Zhiping , Liang Xuan , Tian Tao , Yao Yu , Li Chunli
Published: January 2023

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of cancer. The aim of this study was to develop novel risk classifiers to predict the risk of irAEs and probability of clinical benefits of these individuals.
Methods: The cancer patients received ICIs from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University from November 2020 to October 2022 were collected and followed up. The logistic regression analyses were adopted to identify independent predictive factors of irAEs and clinical response. Two nomograms were developed to predict the irAEs and clinical response of these individuals, with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and calibration curve being generated to assess their predictive ability. Besides, decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to estimate the clinical utility of the nomograms.
Results: This study included 583 cancer patients from 2434 cancer patients. Among them, 111 patients (19.0%) developed irAEs. The multivariate analysis indicated that duration of treatment (DOT)＞3 cycles, Hepatic-metastases, IL2＞2.225pg/ml, and IL8＞7.39pg/ml were correlated with higher irAEs risk. Overall, 347 patients were included in the final efficacy analysis, with an overall clinical benefit rate of 39.7% being observed. The multivariate analysis indicated that DOT＞3cycles, non-hepatic-metastases, irAEs and IL8＞7.39pg/ml were independent predictive factors of clinical benefit. Ultimately, two nomograms were successfully established to predict the probability of irAEs and clinical benefits. ROC curves yield acceptable performance of nomograms. Calibration curves showed satisfying consistencies between actual and predicted probability. DCA supported that the nomograms could provide more significant net clinical benefits to these patients.
Conclusion: Specific baseline serum cytokines are closely correlated to irAEs and clinical response in these individuals. We established two nomograms that could effectively predict the risk of irAEs and probability of clinical response by integration of common clinicopathological parameters and serumcytokines.
A novel approach to learning through categorical variables applicable to the classification of solitary pulmonary nodule malignancy
Authors: Bosch-Romeu Raquel , Librero Julian , Senent-Valero Marina , Sanfeliu-Alonso Maria Carmen , Salinas-Serrano Jose Maria , Forés-Martos Jaume , Suay-Garcia Beatriz , Climent Joan , Falco Antonio , Pastor-Valero Maria
Published: January 2023

Background One of the main drawbacks in constructing a classification model is that some or all of the covariates are categorical variables. Classical methods either assign labels to each output of a categorical variable or are summarised measures (frequencies and percentages), which can be interpreted as probabilities.
Methods We adopted a novel mathematical procedure to construct a classification model from categorical variables based on a non-classical probability approach. More specifically, we codified the variables following the categorical data representation from the Discriminant Correspondence Analysis before constructing a non-classical probability matrix system that represents an entangled system of dependent-independent variables. We then developed a disentangled procedure to obtain an empirical density function for each representative class (minimum of two classes). Finally, we constructed our classification model using the density functions.
Results We applied the proposed procedure to build a classification model of the malignancy of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule (SPN) after five years of follow up using routine clinical data. First, with 2/3 (270) of the sample of 404 patients with SPN, we constructed the classification model, and then validated it with the remaining 1/3 (134) we validated it. We tested the procedure’s stability by repeating the analysis randomly 1000 times. We obtained a model accuracy of 0.74, an F1 score of 0.58, a Cohen’s Kappa value of 0.41 and a Matthews Correlation Coefficient of 0.45. Finally, the area under the ROC curve was 0.86.
Conclusion The proposed procedure provides a machine learning classification model with an acceptable performance of a classification model of solitary pulmonary nodule malignancy constructed from routine clinical data and mainly composed of categorical variables. It provides an acceptable performance, which could be used by clinicians as a tool to classify SPN malignancy in routine clinical practice.
How Do Everyday-Low-Price Supermarkets Adjust their Prices?
Authors: He Guojun , LaFrance Jeffrey , Perloff Jeffrey , Volpe Richard
Published: January 2023

Was the rapid increase and collapse of commodity prices in 2007–2009 passed through to supermarket prices symmetrically? This study is the first to address this issue for an everyday-low-price (EDLP) supermarket chain, which infrequently changes its prices and rarely has sales. We also reexamine the question for typical firms that set a usual high price and have frequent sales. We examine 25 goods that use a primary commodity (such as rice in a bag of rice). We fail to reject symmetric adjustments for very few goods for both types of stores. In addition, we find that the probability an EDLP chain adjusts its prices in response to even a large commodity price shock is low for most goods. JEL: D40, Q13, C22
Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in coal gasification slags and their leaching toxicity from China
Authors: Zhang Hanlin , Zhang Yili , Yu Wei , Fan Meijuan , Chen Li , Cui Huapeng , Wang Xuebin
Published: January 2023

The coal gasification process produces a large amount of coal gasification slag (CGS), which enriches the heavy metals in the raw coal. The CGS will not only occupies land resources in the long-term storage, but also has potential ecological pollution risks. In this study, eight kinds of CGS samples from different regions of China were subjected, and their chemical composition and environmental risks were studied. Two leaching methods issued by the ministry of ecology and environment of China were used to carry out leaching experiments for evaluating the hazardous waste level of CGS. The results show that, among eight samples, the comprehensive potential ecological risk of all samples did not reach high risk, and there are two kinds of CGCS and two kinds of CGFS reach middle risk. In general, CGS is not hazardous solid wastes, most of which are Class I general industrial solid wastes, and a few are Class II general industrial solid wastes. These conclusions indicate that heavy metals in CGS have certain potential ecological risks. Under different leaching conditions, except for Be, the precipitation amount of heavy metals in CGS is basically within the limited range of relevant standards, but its environmental risks cannot be ignored.
Hepatocellular carcinoma cell-derived small extracellular vesicles-associated CD147 may serve as a facilitating diagnostic marker and promotes endothelial cell angiogenesis via PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Huang Defa , Zhang Wenjuan , Chen Jie , Jiao Zhigang , Wang Xiaoling , Rao Dingyu , Li Weisong , Hu Die , Xie Fangfang , Wang Xiaoxing , Li Zhengzhe , Yi Xiaomei , Wu Jiyang , Jiang Yu , Zhong Tianyu
Published: January 2023

CD147 is thought to promote tumor angiogenesis mostly through its ability to increase expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumor cells. In the present study, we found that the expression of CD147 was significantly higher in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue samples than in normal tissues. We also found a significantly larger number of CD147-positive small extracellular vesicles (CD147+ sEVs) in the plasma of HCC patients than those from live cirrhosis (LC) patients and healthy donors (HD). Our data demonstrate a close correlation between ration of CD147+ sEVs with progression of HCC. The index of CD147+ sEVs combined with that of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) improves the diagnostic efficiency for HCC. and When AFP is negative, the index of CD147+ sEVs still remains a good diagnostic power. Furthermore, we show that hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HepG2)-derived CD147+ sEVs promote cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The CD147+ sEVs up-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) by activating PI3K/Akt pathway, thereby promoting angiogenesis. Taken together, our data suggest that HCC-derived sEVs is able to promote angiogenesis through CD147 and demonstrate a diagnostic value of plasma CD147+ sEVs for HCC.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of the structural behavior of reinforced glulam wooden members by NSM steel bars and shear reinforcement CFRP sheet
Authors: Alkhudery Hayder , Al‑Katib Haider , Al‑Tameemi Haider
Published: January 2023

The current investigation is an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of utilizing steel bars as reinforcements in glulam timber beams using the near-surface-mounted (NSM) technique. A series of flexural testing was carried out until failure for both reinforced and unreinforced glulam members in a simple support system. Eleven specimens were examined in two groups to compare with the controlled beam. Five reinforced glulam beams of the first group were reinforced with different schemes at tension and compression zones using the same bar size, while other five specimens of the second group were reinforced in addition to the same flexural reinforcement schemes, the shear reinforcement using fully wrapping strips made of CFRP sheet. Each glulam beam has a span of 1.35 m and a rectangular section sized 85×175 mm. Experimental results presented, that the reinforced glulam beams performed much better than unreinforced reference beams in terms of structural behavior with improvements in ultimate load capacity ranging from 16 to 49%. Based on experimental outcomes, theoretic modeling was provided to estimate the ultimate load capacity and bending rigidity of reinforcing glulam members. Though several theoretical predictions of flexural capacity were overstated when compared to experimental predictions, these disparities were frequently about 10%, confirming that the proposed theoretical model was accurate and the mean of ultimate loading capacity and deflection between experimental and theoretical results were 1.01 and 1.09, respectively, while the shear reinforcement for reinforced glulam members slightly improved flexural performance and ultimate load capacity increased by 2–7%.
Global existence and asymptotic behavior of a triply haptotactic cross-diffusion model for oncolytic virotherapy
Authors: Zheng Jiashan , Ke Yuanyuan , Qi Dayong
Published: January 2023

Note: Please see pdf for full abstract with equations.
This paper considers a model for oncolytic virotherapy given by a thiply haptotactic cross-diffusion system
ut = DuΔu − ξu∇ · (u∇v) + μuu(1 − u) − ρuuz, x ∈ Ω, t > 0,
vt = −(αuu + αww)v + μvv(1 − v), x ∈ Ω, t > 0,
wt = DwΔw − ξw∇ · (w∇v) − δww + ρwuz, x ∈ Ω, t > 0,
zt = DzΔz − ξz∇ · (z∇v) − δzz − ρzuz + βw, x ∈ Ω, t > 0,
(Du∇u − ξuu∇v) · ν = (Dw∇w − ξww∇v) · ν = (Dz∇z − ξzz∇v) · ν = 0, x ∈ ∂Ω, t > 0,
u(x, 0) = u0(x), v(x, 0) = v0(x), w(x, 0) = w0(x), z(x, 0) = z0(x), x ∈ Ω,
(0.1)
in a bounded domain Ω ⊂ RN (N = 1, 2) with smooth boundary. We prove that when N = 1, the system possesses a unique global bounded solution. When N = 2, if there exists some constant K > 0 such that Dz > ξzK, then the solution is global in time. And if we add the condition δwρz > ρwβ > 0, the solution is globally bounded. Furthermore, with some suitable assumption, we could also obtain that the solution exponentially stabilizes to the constant equilibrium (1,0,0,0) as t → ∞.
Musculoskeletal Disorders among Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy in Pediatric Rehabilitation Center in Khartoum – Sudan 2022
Authors: Elbadri Mohammed Elfatih , Shalan Ahmed Abdelazeim , Algalal Amna Adel , Ali Aya Jamal , Abdalgader Eatedal Osama , AwadAllah Eman Bashir , Mustafa Esraa Aboud , Abdelrazig Fatima Bakri , alamin Leena Khalid , Aldosh RazanYasser , Elmubark Noha Mohamed Abdelazeim , Saeed Ali Awadallah
Published: January 2023

Background:Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by impaired motor development, cognitive, sensory and communicative deficits. The disorder develops when the immature brain responds for a variety of reasons. Long-term care and support is especially important, for the mother of a child with cerebral palsy, as well as the family as a wholeObjectives:The aim of the study is to recognize Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among a mothers of a child with cerebral palsyMaterial and Methods:A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in three centers in Khartoum, Sudan (Shaheen pediatric rehabilitation center, Youmna care center and Roya physiotherapy clinic in Khartoum, Sudan). 51 Sudanese patients 51mothers aged between 16 to 50 years, were involved in the study. Data analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.Result:The most common musculoskeletal disorders in mother who have cerebral palsy children is low back pain but researchers found the neck pain is the most common, neck pain 20% > low back pain 19%Conclusion:•The common age of mother for musculoskeletal disorders ranging between (27-33) years. • The most Musculoskeletal disorders of mother is neck pain. • Children with CP who depend on their mother full or partial have the same effect of musculoskeletal disorders.
Neuromuscular Taping Decompression Technique in Diabetic Painful Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy: The Impact On Pain Intensity in a randomised trial
Authors: Muchsin Achmad Harun , Blow David , Goysal Yudi , Tammasse Jumraini , Bahar Ashari , Wuysang Audry Devisanty , Zainuddin Andi Alfian , Walenna Nirwana Fitriani
Published: January 2023

This study aims to assess the effects of neuromuscular taping decompression technique (NMT) to modify pain scale in diabetic patients with painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and was conducted at Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia. The study design used a pure experimental design with the pre-test and post-test control group method, where samples were collected using a consecutive sampling technique.30 patients with diabetic painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy were studied consisting of 15 treatment and 15 control subjects. The treatment group received a specific decompression NMT application over the dorsal and plantar aspect of the foot, bilaterally, 2 times a week for 4 weeks together with vitamin B complex oral supplementation. While a control group only received vitamin B complex.
Mann-Whitney test, showed a significant (p <0.05) improved pain scale in the treatment group at day 28, and the average NPRS value of the treatment group was lower than the control.
This study has shown a significant effect of NMT decompression technique in reducing pain in Diabetic Painful Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy patients. Pain is the major debilitating aspect that negatively influences DM patient mobility and quality of life. The combination of vitamin B1 (100mg), B6 ​​(100mg) and B12 (5000mcg) supplementation and a specific NMT treatment application repeated 8 times over 28 days (5 treatments over 17 days to achieve minimum effective time) to reduce the mean value of NPRS pain scale to 0 (p<0.05). Trial results indicate a possible treatment cycle of 2 NMT1 treatments a week for 4 weeks to significantly reduce pain to mean value 0 in combination with vit. B supplementation. Treatment time was calculated 5-8 min with a tape cost for 50cm approx USD 0,50 per treatment.
Digitale pädagogische Inhaltskompetenzen gestalterisch aufbauen mit Augmented und Virtual Reality
Authors: Zgraggen Jérôme
Published: January 2023

Viele medienpädagogische Studien zu Augmented Reality (AR) und Virtual Reality (VR) beziehen sich auf den Einsatz von entsprechenden Anwendungen und Hilfsmitteln im Unterricht. Über die Gestaltung eigener Inhalte für AR und VR, insbesondere im Lehramtsstudium, ist in diesem Zusammenhang wenig veröffentlicht worden. In diesem Beitrag werden im Sinne einer explorativen Pilotierung Hinweise dafür gesucht, dass der gestalterische Umgang mit AR und VR digitale pädagogische Inhaltskompetenzen in Bezug auf diese Technologien fördern kann. Hierfür wurden 13 Lehramtsstudierende des Studiengangs Kindergarten und Primar der Pädagogischen Hochschule St. Gallen befragt. Sie nahmen an einem Modul in der Schnittstelle von Gestaltung und Informatik Teil, in dem neben AR und VR weitere digitale Gestaltungsformen erprobt wurden. Die Onlinebefragung basierte auf dem DPACK-Modell von Döbeli-Honegger (2021), einer Weiterentwicklung des TPACK-Modells (Koehler und Mishra 2009) um die drei Perspektiven der Dagstuhl-Erklärung (Gesellschaft für Informatik – GI 2016): die anwendungsbezogene, die gesellschaftlich-kulturelle und die technologische Perspektive. Neben diversen methodischen Verbesserungspotenzialen für Folgestudien konnten Hinweise dafür gefunden werden, dass die gestalterische Auseinandersetzung mit AR und VR ein interesseweckender Zugang sein kann, der eine bewusste Haltung zu diesen Technologien fördert. Dies müsste jedoch in weiteren Studien mit angepasstem Design untersucht werden.
Digital Workflow in the Analysis of Orofacial Cleft in Children: Case Series with 5 Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Ambrosio Eloá Cristina Passucci , Camargo Patrícia Bassani , Jorge Paula Karine , Carrara Cleide Felício Carvalho , Machado Maria Aparecida Andrade Moreira , Oliveira Thais Marchini
Published: January 2023

An objective was detailed the digital workflow steps to analyze dental arch of children with cleft lip and palate. Five children underwent impressions of the upper dental arches in the following stages: Stage 1 – before lip repair (3 months of life); Stage 2 – after lip repair/ before palate repair (12 months of life); Stage 3 – after palate repair (24 months of life); and Stage 4 – with early complete/ mixed deciduous dentition (from 5 years of age). After the impressions, dental casts were made with orthodontic plaster, and trimmed to obtain standardized dentoalveolar bases. Dental cast digitalization was performed using a 3D scanner coupled to a computer. Using stereophotogrammetry system software, anatomical landmarks were delimited for the evaluation of linear measurements, palatal surface area, volume, and dental arch superimposition. It is concluded that, the digital analysis of dental arches represents a significant change in the diagnostic process and treatment planning of children with orofacial clefts. The multiplicity of equipment and software guarantees reliable, reproducible, and valid tools for use in clinical practice and in scientific research.
Experiência de um Hospital Terciário com Falhas de Cobertura e seu Tratamento com Retalhos Livres e Rotacionais
Authors: Pontes Renata Gabriela Pereira Cunha , Sajovic-Neto Oscar , Dorigão Thiago de Oliveira , Rezende Luis Guilherme Rosifini Alves , Shimaoka Filipe Jun , Mazzer Nilton
Published: January 2023

Introdução: A cobertura de falhas cutâneas com retalhos livres e rotacionais é uma proposta estabelecida de tratamento, principalmente com o aumento da capacidade técnica e de instrumentais. Existe uma grande variedade de retalhos descritos, e apesar do esforço para reduzir os erros de técnica, as taxas de complicações ainda são altas. Estas complicações dependem de fatores inerentes ao paciente, à cirurgia e ao manejo pós-operatório. Este estudo propõe elucidar a população submetida a tratamento de falha de cobertura com retalhos livres, rotacionais e de avanço, tal como a taxa de complicação e necessidade de reabordagem. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo baseado em dados de prontuário de pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico de falha de cobertura com retalhos livres e rotacionais no período de janeiro de 2015 a dezembro de 2021 em um hospital terciário. Resultados: A taxa de reoperação global foi de 68,8%, sendo 85,7% nos retalhos livres e 57,8% nos retalhos de rotação (p<0,001), com diferença estatística para tempo de internação (p=0,001) e tempo cirúrgico (p<0,001), sem diferença para tamanho da falha (p=0,458). A taxa de falha global dos retalhos foi de 16,9%, sendo 23,8% nos retalhos livres e 12,5% nos retalhos de rotação (p=0,032). A falha do retalho apresentou diferença estatística para o tamanho da falha (p=0,004), tempo cirúrgico (p=0,040) e tempo de internação em dias (p=0,015). Conclusão: a taxa de falha dos retalhos e de reoperação são consistentes com os dados da literatura. As comorbidades podem ser controladas por equipes multidisciplinares de forma a não influenciarem no resultado pós-operatório.
Experiência de um Hospital Terciário com a Técnica de McCash para o Tratamento de Dupuytren
Authors: Silva Ana Caroline Leite da , Milhomens Gabriel Rodrigues dos Santos , Cardeal Anderson Clayton , Rezende Luis Guilherme Rosifini Alves , Shimaoka Filipe Jun , Mazzer Nilton
Published: January 2023

Introdução. A Doença de Dupuytren é caracterizada por uma fibroproliferação benigna da fáscia palmar e digital, que resulta em deformidades e contraturas em flexão nas mãos e nos dedos. Diversas abordagens terapêuticas são propostas para correção da deformidade e restaurar a função da mão. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever a experiencia de um hospital terciário no manejo da doença de Dupuytren. Métodos. Estudo retrospectivo analisando 59 casos de doença de Dupuytren submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico com a técnica da palma aberta de McCash modificada. O estudo incluiu 44 homens e 15 mulheres, com idade média de 66 anos. Destes, 16 eram diabéticos, 8 utilizavam neurolépticos, 29 eram etilistas e 20 apresentavam história familiar positiva. O tempo médio de doença no diagnóstico foi de 8,2 anos. 55,9% apresentavam bilateralidade da doença. Resultados: observamos diferença estatística no estágio de Tubiana para o 5º dedo (Teste do Qui-Quadrado p=0,060) e para a variável recidiva (ANOVA p=0,036) e uma maior taxa de recidiva em pacientes que apresentavam bilateralidade (Teste do Qui-Quadrado p=0,047). Conclusão: a técnica de McCash possui resultados satisfatórios considerando as variáveis estudadas e em concordância com a literatura.
Financial Fraud Detection on Social Networks Based on a Data Mining Approach
Authors: Bozhenko Victoria , Mynenko Serhii , Shtefan Artem
Published: January 2023

The article summarizes the arguments and counter-arguments within the scientific debate on the issue of researching financial frauds in the Internet. The main goal of the research is to develop methodological principles for identifying financial cyber fraud in social networks based on the analysis of comments to identify relevant text patterns that may indicate manipulation attempts and further fraud. The urgency of solving this scientific problem is due to the fact that the mass involvement of Internet users in social interactions in the virtual environment has contributed to the development of various criminal schemes, as well as personal data that is initially entered during registration and information that is published in social networks can be used by a fraudster to carry out illegal financial transactions. The study of the issue of identifying financial fraud in social networks in the article is carried out in the following logical sequence: collecting comments with a corresponding request under publications in the social network using the Instaloader tool; combining comments into groups based on content similarity; conducting preliminary processing of text data (decomposing the text into simpler components (tokens) and reducing similar word forms to their main dictionary form); determination of the level of similarity of text data using the cosine of similarity; building clusters of text data that can indicate the presence of signs of financial fraud under relevant comments in social networks. Instagram was chosen to identify fraudulent operations in social networks. The analysis of comments on the social network Instagram to identify text patterns showed that offers and appeals from specific groups of people and promoted in comments with the help of spam are dangerous. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that national regulators need to strengthen public control of the Internet, as well as improve the security system at the technical level by using the latest machine learning methods to identify attempts to commit illegal actions with the subsequent imposition of sanctions on such users in social networks.
Coffee Value Chain in Ethiopia: A Case Study
Authors: Singh S.N.
Published: January 2023

Coffee is a bulging commercial crop ever growing up in Ethiopia to export for gaining comparative advantageous of price and income. It also plays a pivotal role to supporting livelihoods of most of the people particularly poor within the territory of the country. It is obvious that the farmers are facing numerous problems encountered with coffee value chain for marketing of their products in marketing channel. The main objective of this research is to analyzing the factors influencing coffee cooperatives effectiveness in coffee value chain of Ilubabor Zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Research is carried out with methodology of data analysis based on descriptive statistics and econometrics model. A logistic regression method is used to analysis the effectiveness of coffee cooperatives in coffee value chain and multi -collinearity regression analysis is employed to determine the correlation between explanatory variables. It is found that despite of inactiveness of cooperatives the coffee value chain is playing an important role to facilitating marketing of coffee in Ethiopia. The research is an important perspective to measuring emerging problems associated with value chain and its solutions with valuable recommendations.